Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Legislation in South Africa

The most recent notice authorising named municipalities to enforce the Act and its regulations. Determines which authority inspects a given food business. Notice number taken from a secondary index; the…

New consolidated mycotoxin limits (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, DON, zearalenone) replacing the 2004 fungus-produced-toxins regime. Affects grain, nut, dried fruit, spice, maize, coffee…

A short-lived blanket ban on cannabis and hemp food ingredients, withdrawn within five weeks after industry and Cabinet pushback. Hemp foods are therefore NOT banned. Affects hemp food producers and…

The notice that withdrew the cannabis/hemp foodstuffs ban. Affects hemp food producers and importers

The most recent pesticide MRL amendment, this is the current MRL position. Affects produce exporters and food manufacturers

The draft version of the new mycotoxin limits, still shown on the DoH draft-regulations page even though a final version has since been published. Affects grain, nut and dried-produce businesses

Proposed single consolidated food-additives regulation intended to replace the fragmented R.965/R.1008/R.733/R.1425 set and align South Africa with the Codex GSFA. Still draft as at September 2026. Affects…

Proposed replacement of R.1555 of 1997, published in the same gazette as the additives and mycotoxins drafts but omitted from the DoH draft page. Affects all dairy processors. Existence single-sourced,…

One of the erroneous draft labelling publications withdrawn in favour of R.3337. Listed so the consultancy can tell clients which draft is the operative one

The proposed full replacement for R.146: mandatory front-of-pack warning labels for high sugar/salt/saturated fat and non-nutritive sweeteners, marketing restrictions to children, expanded allergen rules….

Pesticide MRL amendment

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act. Affects food businesses in those districts

Most recent amendment to R.965 of 1977. Not listed on the DoH website

Repealed the edible fats and oils regulations. Important: there is now NO DoH compositional regulation for edible fats and oils (the Agricultural Product Standards Act regime applies instead). Affects oil…

Housekeeping notice repealing obsolete 1929-era product regulations. Useful for confirming which old standards no longer apply

Latest amendment to the sodium reduction regulations; sets the phase-2 targets applicable from June 2019

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Maximum limits for lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, tin and other metals across food categories. Affects canners, seafood, cereal, chocolate and juice producers and all importers

Current amendment to the HACCP regulations; read together with R.908 of 2003

The core food-premises hygiene law: Certificate of Acceptability, premises and equipment standards, food handler requirements, transport of food, temperature control and traceability/recall. Affects every…

Second amendment to the sodium reduction regulations

Amends R.965 of 1977. Not listed on the DoH website, a real gap for anyone relying only on health.gov.za

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

The current veterinary drug MRL amendment. Affects animal-product producers and importers

Authorises the named municipality to enforce the Act

The main permitted-additives instrument covering emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners, anticaking agents, acidity regulators and other functional classes. Affects all food manufacturers and importers

Amended the 2004 mycotoxin tolerances

First amendment to the sodium reduction regulations

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

An earlier published version of the general hygiene regulations that did not survive into force; superseded by R.638 of 2018. Included so the consultancy does not cite it as current. Status as draft vs….

The 2014 draft amendment to R.146 (claims, nutrition labelling). Never promulgated. Included because clients still ask about it, it is NOT law

Latest in-force amendment to the milk and dairy products regulations. Note this R.127 of 2014 is a different instrument from R.127 of 2011 (trans-fat)

Repealed the mayonnaise and salad dressing composition regulations. Affects sauce manufacturers

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

The salt reduction regulations, maximum sodium levels in 13 food categories (bread, processed meat, snacks, soups, stocks, margarine etc.) with phased targets (June 2016 and June 2019). Affects bakers,…

Corrects an earlier local authority enforcement authorisation notice

Current amendment to the irradiation regulations

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Updates definitions and the additives table and adds labelling requirements for formulated caffeinated beverages containing more than 150 mg/L caffeine. Affects energy drink and caffeinated beverage…

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Second and latest amendment to R.146. Together with R.146 and R.1091 this is the complete in-force labelling package

Pesticide MRL amendment

Sets which non-nutritive and nutritive sweeteners may be used, in which food categories and at what levels, plus mandatory label warnings. Affects reduced-sugar, diet and sugar-free product manufacturers

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Hygiene, structural and transport requirements for raw-milk production at farm level. Affects dairy farmers and raw-milk transporters

The infant formula and foods for infants and young children regulations, South Africa's implementation of the WHO Code: bans advertising and promotion of infant formula, controls labelling, health claims…

The trans fat regulations, caps industrially produced trans fatty acids at 2 g per 100 g of oil or fat in any foodstuff. Affects bakery, margarine, fried snack and confectionery manufacturers and importers

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act. Published in the same gazette as the trans-fat regulations

Bans BPA-containing polycarbonate infant feeding bottles. The closest thing South Africa has to a food-contact-material regulation. Affects baby-product manufacturers, importers and retailers

Amendment to the bottled water regulations. Affects bottled and packaged water producers

First amendment to R.146; ten changes including definitions and transitional dates. Affects all pre-packed food labels

Amends the milk and dairy products regulations

Pesticide MRL amendment

Maximum melamine limits, principally for milk powder and infant formula. Affects dairy processors and importers of dairy-based ingredients

First amendment to the HACCP regulations

Amends R.965 of 1977 preservative/antioxidant schedules

Earlier amendment to the 2004 mycotoxin tolerances; not listed on the DoH website

The most recent amendment Act; modernised offences, penalties and inspection powers under the principal Act. This is the version of Act 54 of 1972 that industry must work to today

Current amendment to the fortification regulations

Amends the alcohol health message labelling regulations

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Mandatory iodation of food-grade salt and salt quality/purity requirements. Affects salt producers, importers and any manufacturer using salt as an ingredient

Sets out what an environmental health practitioner may do on inspection, sampling procedure and detention/condemnation of food. Affects every food business subject to municipal inspection

Mandatory rotating health warning messages on alcoholic beverage labels. Affects all alcoholic beverage producers and importers. NOTE: the 2017 amendment was repealed in 2020, health.gov.za does not show…

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Pesticide MRL amendment

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

The natural mineral water and bottled/packaged water regulations, definitions (natural mineral water, spring water, prepared water), source protection, treatment limits, microbiological and chemical limits…

Amendment to the older R.1130 of 1984 infant foods regulations (microbiological provisions). Listed on health.gov.za but of historical value only; R.991 of 2012 governs today

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Requires the rotating health warning messages on alcoholic beverage labels and containers and prohibits health claims. Applies to every producer, importer and packer of alcoholic beverages, in addition to…

Controls toys and novelty objects packed inside children's food (choking-hazard control). Affects confectionery and children's snack manufacturers

Pesticide MRL amendment

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act

Authorises the named municipalities to enforce the Act. NOTE: do not confuse this R.429 of 2005 with the draft labelling amendment R.429 of 2014

Limits for paralytic, diarrhetic and amnesic shellfish poisons. Affects shellfish harvesters, processors and exporters. NOTE: the DoH filename says '491 of 2016' but the instrument is R.491 of 27 May 2005,…

The outgoing aflatoxin and patulin limits. Affects maize, groundnut, nut, dried fruit and apple juice producers until R.7091 fully takes effect

The genetically modified foodstuffs labelling regulations. Affects manufacturers and importers using GM soya, maize or canola derivatives

Prohibits comfrey-containing foods and konjac jelly confectionery (choking risk). Affects herbal-product and confectionery importers

The mandatory food fortification regulations, vitamin and mineral premix requirements for maize meal and wheat flour/bread flour. Affects millers, bakers and premix suppliers

Makes HACCP compulsory for categories of food business designated by the Minister, and sets the HACCP plan and audit requirements. Affects designated manufacturers and their third-party auditors. NOTE:…

Pesticide MRL amendment

Pesticide MRL amendment

Hygiene and composition requirements for processed foodstuffs. Affects canners and ready-meal manufacturers

Controls residual extraction solvents (e.g. hexane) in food and food ingredients. Affects oil extractors, flavour and extract manufacturers

Amends the permitted preservative and antioxidant lists in R.965 of 1977

Compositional, hygiene and labelling requirements for milk, cream, cheese, butter, yoghurt and other dairy products. Affects all dairy processors and importers. NOTE: health.gov.za shows only two of the…

Lists the colourants permitted in foodstuffs and their maximum levels. Affects manufacturers of any coloured food or beverage. Note: DoH's own page mislabels this as 'Food Colourants R.1008 of 1996'; a…

The pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) regulations for agricultural remedies. Affects fresh produce growers, packhouses, exporters, importers and food manufacturers using agricultural raw materials

The perishable foodstuffs regulations, cold-chain temperature and handling requirements for perishable products. Affects cold stores, distributors, retailers and food-service operators. NOTE: the R.952 of…

Sets maximum permitted radionuclide activity levels in food. Mainly affects importers of food from affected regions and government laboratories

Composition, naming and labelling rules for soft drinks, squashes, cordials and fruit-flavoured beverages. Affects all beverage manufacturers

The food irradiation regulations, which foods may be irradiated, permitted doses, facility approval and the mandatory irradiation label/Radura symbol. Affects spice, herb and dried-produce processors and…

First amendment Act to the principal Act; its changes are already consolidated into the current text of Act 54 of 1972. Of historical interest only to industry

Controls mineral oil / paraffin-type hydrocarbon residues in food (relevant to release agents, glazing agents and packaging migration). Affects bakeries, confectioners and packers

DoH guideline on issuing and responding to food safety alerts and recalls. Listed but not downloadable from the DoH site, relevant to any business planning a recall

DoH guideline on health certificates for exported food. Listed but not downloadable, important for exporters

The DoH's current register of approved fortification premix manufacturers, suppliers and importers. Millers and bakers must buy premix only from a listed supplier. Updated periodically, always check the date

The DoH's official interpretation guide to R.146, including how the allergen provisions in regulation 51 are to be applied. This is the closest South Africa has to formal allergen guidance. NOTE: it is no…

DoH guidance for inspectors and industry on verifying and monitoring irradiated food. Affects irradiation facilities and their customers

DoH guideline on HACCP for environmental health practitioners. Listed but not downloadable from the DoH site

DoH guideline for environmental health practitioners investigating foodborne illness outbreaks. Listed by DoH but not actually downloadable, request from foodcontrol@health.gov.za

The core food labelling law: mandatory particulars, ingredient lists, allergen declaration (reg 51), date marking, claims, nutrition information and advertising controls. Affects every manufacturer,…

Sets tolerances for weed and other extraneous seeds (including toxic seeds such as Datura) in grain and agricultural products. Affects millers, grain traders and animal-feed-adjacent food processors

The microbiological standards regulations, sets sampling plans and limits for organisms such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli and total plate counts across food categories. Affects every…

The maximum residue limits regulations for veterinary medicines and stock remedies. Affects abattoirs, meat, poultry, egg, fish and dairy producers and importers of animal products

Sets which chemical preservatives and antioxidants may be used in which foods and at what maximum levels. Affects every food manufacturer and any importer whose product carries a preservative or antioxidant

The umbrella statute controlling the sale, manufacture, import and export of foodstuffs, cosmetics and disinfectants in South Africa; every DoH food regulation below is made under it. Affects every food…

General statute that moved certain State President powers to Ministers; incidentally amended Act 54 of 1972. No practical compliance effect for food businesses

SAMIC's 2026 inspection and sampling tariffs for red meat. A direct cost line for abattoirs and meat processors

2026 inspection and sampling fees charged by the Food Safety Agency on poultry meat, eggs, processed and raw processed meat

2026 inspection fees on perishable products. Applies to exporters of perishables

PPECB 2026 inspection tariffs

Prokon 2026 inspection tariffs for processed products, grains and horticultural products

Objection-stage notice for registering Rooibos as a South African GI

A proposed full replacement of the meat classification and marking regulations, out for public comment. Watch this, it will change carcass classification and marking for all red meat

Updates export standards for avocados

The department's own 2026 fee schedule for inspections, permits and certificates

Tightens acidity declarations, prohibits certain claims and sets rules for added foodstuffs in vinegar. Applies to vinegar producers, sauce and pickle manufacturers

New compositional and labelling standard for mayonnaise and dressings.; confirmed via the De Rebus gazette index

Current grading, class and marking standard for canola seed. Applies to canola crushers, traders and oil producers

First dedicated South African standard for edible vegetable oils, identity, quality parameters, blending and labelling. Binding on oil refiners, blenders, bottlers and food manufacturers who buy bulk oil

The comment-stage draft of the edible vegetable oils regulations. Confirmed to exist on gov.za; its notice and gazette numbers could not be verified

New standard for sorghum meal and related products. Applies to sorghum millers and instant-porridge manufacturers

Proposed dedicated standard for rooibos and green rooibos. Not yet law as at September 2026, rooibos is presently covered by the tea regulations and export standards

Updates export standards for oilseeds

Comment-stage draft of the 2026 canola regulations. Historical only

Current compositional, naming and labelling standard for milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt and dairy analogues. This is the text dairy manufacturers must work from, not the 2019 regulations

Sets protein-content thresholds and naming rules for plant-based meat analogues, restricts animal-origin ingredients and requires country-of-origin and SA manufacturer details. Binding on every plant-based…

Adds definitions of 'audit' and 'management control system', enables auditing of producer control systems and lets assignees set fees. It is the legal gateway to future claim-based standards such as…

Grading standard for whole maize (white and yellow), defects and marking. Applies to millers, traders and silo operators

The comment-stage draft behind the October 2024 processed and raw processed meat amendments. Historical only, do not cite as current

Amends R.1283 of 2019. Processed-meat producers must work from R.1283 as amended, not the 2019 text alone

Amends R.2410 of 2022. This is the current operative text for raw processed meat

Consultation draft of the meat analogue regulations. Historical only

Registration and protection of South African GIs and designations of origin on food labels. Affects anyone using a place-name claim such as Karoo Lamb or Rooibos

Grades, moisture limits and marking for dried fruit. Applies to dried-fruit processors and snack manufacturers

Current amendment to the meat classification and marking regulations

Export control and inspection for fresh vegetables

Export control and inspection for fresh fruit

Export inspection and certification requirements for processed food products. Applies to every exporter of a regulated processed product

Dedicated tomato standard. Applies to tomato packers and suppliers to retail and processing

Compositional classes and naming for ice cream, frozen dairy dessert, water ice and sorbet. Applies to ice cream manufacturers

Registers Karoo Lamb as a protected GI. Only compliant product may carry the name

Covers raw sausage, boerewors, mince and similar uncooked processed meats, meat content, permitted non-meat ingredients and naming. Binding on butcheries and raw-meat processors

Standards for canned and pickled vegetables, drained mass, defects, brine and marking. Applies to canners

Composition, naming and marking for tea and tea-based products. Applies to tea packers and blenders

Composition, naming and marking for coffee, instant coffee, chicory and mixtures. Applies to coffee roasters and packers

Egg size classes, grading, pack marking and traceability codes. Applies to packers, graders and anyone selling shell eggs

Rice grading classes, broken-kernel limits and marking. Applies to rice importers and packers

Proposed full revision of the fruit juice and fruit drink standards. Would affect juice composition and labelling. Status must be confirmed before citing

Sets compositional classes, meat-content minimums, permitted ingredients and marking rules for cooked and cured processed meats. Directly binding on every processed-meat manufacturer and retailer

The previous dairy standard. Widely still cited on industry reference pages, it is out of date

Grading of bread wheat by protein, hectolitre mass and falling number. Applies to wheat millers and traders

The first SA GI regulations. Superseded, many reference pages still cite it

Grading of dry beans, lentils and peas. Applies to pulse packers and canners

Quality classes, sizing and pack marking for fresh fruit sold locally. Applies to packhouses and fresh-produce suppliers

The principal vinegar standard, classes, minimum acidity and naming. Must be read with the March 2026 amendment

Controls classification, brining/added-water declarations and marking of poultry meat sold locally. Number and date of the PRINCIPAL poultry regulations remain

Standards for maize meal, samp, grits and rice-maize, extraction classes, fat and fibre limits and marking. Core standard for maize millers

Carcass classification (age, fat code, conformation) and roller-marking of red meat. Applies to abattoirs, wholesalers and anyone labelling carcass classes

Fruit-content minimums, soluble solids and naming for jam, jelly and marmalade. Applies to preserve manufacturers. Note: this is 2013, not 2023, the '2023' citation seen on some industry pages is wrong

Standardises six juice classes across most fruit types, defines main ingredient, tightens quality and comparative claims and strengthens country-of-origin disclosure. Affects juice and nectar manufacturers…

Quality classes, sizing and marking of fresh vegetables. Applies to packhouses, market agents and retail suppliers

Standards for margarine, fat spreads and blends. Applies to spread manufacturers and bakery-fat suppliers. Notice date not verified

The old canola standard (Class C, grades 1 and 2). Now out of date, most reference pages still cite it

Grades, moisture and HMF limits and naming rules for honey. Applies to honey packers and users of honey as an ingredient. Not indexed on gov.za; the department's own copy is the source

The principal fruit juice standard. Its number and date are confirmed inside R.411 of 2013; the original gazette number is

As at September 2026 South Africa has NO gazetted regulation governing organic production or organic labelling. Organic claims are policed only under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of…

PPECB statutory levies on perishable exports for 2026. A direct cost for perishable exporters

The umbrella statute for quality, grading, packing and marking standards for agricultural products sold or exported from South Africa. Applies to almost every food manufacturer, packer, importer and…

Commencement proclamation putting sections 1 to 5 of the 2023 Amendment Act into operation

Proposed abattoir and inspection regulations for rabbit meat. Not yet in force

Draft regulations for game meat abattoirs and field harvesting. Still at draft stage; the Game Meat Strategy for South Africa (GN 4042, GG 49620, 8 November 2023) is the current policy document

Registration, hygiene management, meat inspection, welfare and export/import requirements for poultry abattoirs, including the essential national standards for poultry. Binding on poultry abattoirs and…

Registration, construction, hygiene management, meat inspection and welfare requirements for red meat abattoirs, including the essential national standards. Binding on every red meat abattoir and on anyone…

The 'essential national standards' referred to in the Meat Safety Act are given effect through the Red Meat Regulations R.1072 of 2004 and the Poultry Regulations R.153 of 2006, which contain the hygiene…

Governs abattoirs, slaughter, meat inspection and the safety of meat and animal products. Anyone slaughtering, or sourcing carcasses from abattoirs, is affected

Compulsory registration for egg industry participants

Returns obligation for egg sellers and egg-product manufacturers

Statutory levy on eggs and egg products. A direct cost for egg users

Compulsory registration for secondary dairy processors. If you make cheese, yoghurt or milk powder you must register

Requires dairy processors and secondary-industry participants to submit periodic returns. A live compliance obligation for dairy manufacturers

Fruit fly eradication levy on fruit growers in specified regions

Consultation on continuing the red meat statutory levies. Red meat processors should comment or budget for continuation

Updates the list of products declared to be agricultural products for the purposes of statutory measures

Levy payable by importers of meat and poultry. Applies to any manufacturer importing meat raw material

Import returns obligation. Importers of MDM for processed meat must file returns

Compulsory registration for importers of meat, poultry and MDM

Enables statutory levies, registration and records-and-returns obligations per commodity, administered via the NAMC. Manufacturers and importers of declared products must register, submit returns and pay levies

Creates the NRCS and empowers the Minister (s.13) to declare compulsory specifications; s.14 makes it an offence to sell or import non-compliant regulated products; s.34 sets penalties. Affects every…

The current NRCS levy and fee tariff amendment. Sets what registered manufacturers and importers pay per regulated commodity. Direct link not verified, confirm the food (FAI) tariff lines with NRCS before…

Correction to the 2025 NRCS levy tariffs. The correction itself only revises electrotechnical (electric motor) tariff lines, not food. Relevant to the consultancy only as proof of which levy notice is current

Dried abalone. Confirmed as a live VC on the NRCS Foods and Associated Industries page, but the NRCS PDF is a non-text scan and no gov.za copy of the gazette could be retrieved, so the notice and gazette…

This, not VC 8014, is the canned meat compulsory specification. Covers hermetically sealed (canned) meat products: facility approval, product testing, labelling and conformity assessment. References SANS…

The post-listeriosis regulation. Covers handling, preparation, processing, packaging, refrigeration, freezing, chilling, labelling and storage of heat-treated and ready-to-eat processed meat products in the…

Covers CANNED FISH, canned marine molluscs and canned crustaceans, NOT canned meat. Applies to manufacture, production, processing and treatment; references SANS 587. Affects canneries and importers of…

Aquacultured live and chilled raw bivalve molluscs (mussels, oysters). References SANS 2879. Affects shellfish farms, depuration plants and exporters. The NRCS PDF is a scan, so the gazette citation comes…

Draft import-administration rules for fish, fishery products and canned meat: health certificates from the exporting competent authority, consignment handling and non-compliance procedures. No final version…

Harvesting, preparation, packing, conveyance and quality of live lobsters, rock lobsters, spiny lobsters and slipper lobsters. References SANS 1680. Affects live lobster handlers and exporters

Covers handling, preparation, processing, packing, transport, freezing, storage and quality of frozen fish, marine molluscs and derived products for human consumption. Applies to factories, processing…

Frozen shrimps/prawns, langoustines and crabs and products derived from them. Published in the same gazette as the VC 8017 amendment. References SANS 788. Affects shrimp and crustacean processors and importers

Live aquacultured abalone: farm and handling requirements for product destined for human consumption, primarily export. References SANS 729. Affects abalone farms and exporters. NRCS also publishes the text…

Sets the compliance machinery behind every VC: registration of manufacturers/importers within 30 days, payment of levies, sales permits for non-compliant export goods, 5-year record keeping and…

Product standard for canned (hermetically sealed) meat, made compulsory through VC 8019. Affects canned meat manufacturers and importers

Defines the processed meat product categories and compositional/microbiological requirements that VC 9100 makes compulsory. The edition number could not be confirmed on the SABS store; an NRCS presentation…

Frozen rock lobster and derived products. One of two food VCs still resting on pre-2008 enabling legislation. References SANS 2074. Affects rock lobster processors and exporters. Made under the earlier…

Manufacture, production, processing and treatment of cooked smoked snoek (Thyrsites atun): factory requirements, employee hygiene, ingredients, microbiological limits, packaging and marking. Still listed as…

The operative legal metrology rulebook. It is the notice that pulls SANS standards into law, including SANS 289 (labelling of prepackaged products) and SANS 1841 (control of quantity in prepackages, and the…

How net quantity must be declared on a prepackage: units, character heights, position, tolerances and permitted terms. This, not the Foodstuffs labelling regulations, is the source of…

The average-quantity (three-rule) system for controlling fill weight, sampling plans, tolerable negative errors and the requirements a company must meet to be registered to apply the 'e' mark. Affects…

Governs measurement in trade: net content declarations, weighing and measuring instruments, and the 'e' quantity mark. Section 15 lets the Minister declare a SANS (or part of one) to be a legal metrology…

Historic South African trade metrology law. Included here only because older consultancy and industry documents still cite it. Any reference to the Trade Metrology Act in a current compliance document is…

How a supplier must notify the NCC of an unsafe product, run a recall, communicate to consumers and report back. Final guidelines, not a draft. Affects any food business that has to withdraw or recall…

The CPA regulations: plain-language rules, product labelling and trade description detail, opt-out registry, complaint procedures and the prescribed forms. Affects marketing, labelling and…

Not food, but it is the NCC's only published statement of how it reads the s.24-25 trade description and country-of-origin duties, and it is applied by analogy to imported goods generally. Useful reference…

The main consumer statute. For food it matters most for s.24-25 (product labelling and trade descriptions, including country of origin), s.55 (right to safe, good quality goods), s.60-61 (product safety…

The international GMP text South Africa applies. A South African manufacturer is inspected against PIC/S Part I, Part II and the Annexes, with SAHPRA's own Annex 16 substituted

SAHPRA's working consolidation of Schedules 0 to 8 of scheduled substances. Tells a manufacturer, wholesaler or pharmacy what schedule a substance falls into and therefore how it may be sold

Latest gazetted change to the schedules of substances. Affects classification, sale and record-keeping obligations for the substances listed

The single most useful document on the food and medicine boundary: how SAHPRA decides whether a product is a medicine, a complementary medicine, a medical device, a cosmetic or a foodstuff, based on…

The GMP standard SAHPRA inspects against. It formally adopts the PIC/S Guide to GMP and all future PIC/S adaptations, with a South African Annex 16 replacing the PIC/S country-specific annex. Mandatory…

Proposed process for notifying SAHPRA of once-off manufacturing deviations. Directly relevant to licensed manufacturers' quality systems

Good wholesaling and distribution expectations for those importing or distributing scheduled substances used to manufacture or compound medicines. Affects importers, distributors and API traders

Exempts low-risk Class A devices (non-sterile, non-measuring) from the establishment licence requirement. Affects suppliers of basic devices and consumables

Sets the fees SAHPRA charges for registration, variation, licensing and inspection. Affects anyone submitting an application or holding a licence

Preceding scheduling amendment notice. Retained because it is the last one with a directly downloadable gazette PDF on SAHPRA's own server

How expired, rejected, recalled or returned medicines and scheduled substances must be destroyed and documented. Affects manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacies

Traceability and serialisation expectations across the health product supply chain. Affects manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors

Quality (CTD Module 3) and bioequivalence data requirements for registration and variations, including which stability standards apply. Core document for any manufacturer compiling a dossier

What must appear on the label and carton of a human medicine. Affects registration holders and packaging or artwork teams

Draft redefinition of complementary medicine as a Category D medicine, published for one month of comment after the Supreme Court of Appeal struck down parts of the earlier scheme. This is the pending…

Latest gazetted amendment to the General Regulations under the Medicines Act. Affects registration holders and licensees

Amendment to the General Regulations under the Medicines Act. Affects registration holders and licensed manufacturers and wholesalers

South Africa's Good Wholesaling Practice standard, covering storage, cold chain, transport, recall and record-keeping. SAHPRA has no separate Good Distribution Practice guideline; distribution is covered…

How to write and submit a CAPA response to a SAHPRA inspection report and the timelines that apply. Affects any inspected manufacturer, wholesaler or trial site

Stability data required to support a shelf-life claim for a biological medicine. Affects biologicals and biosimilar manufacturers

SAHPRA's staged plan for calling up and evaluating complementary medicines. Affects anyone marketing a Category D product

Safety and efficacy evidence expected for discipline-specific complementary medicines (for example homoeopathy, ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine), split by high and low risk claims

Replaced the Medicines Control Council with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and extended regulation to medical devices and IVDs. Affects every holder of a medicine registration or…

The operating rulebook under the Medicines Act: registration dossiers, labelling, advertising, licensing of manufacturers and wholesalers, and the Category D complementary medicines framework. This is the…

Finalised the SAHPRA structure, tidied definitions and completed the legal basis for regulating medical devices and IVDs. Affects manufacturers, device establishments and licence holders

Classifies medical devices and IVDs by risk and requires a SAHPRA establishment licence to manufacture, distribute, import, export or wholesale them. Affects any manufacturer whose product is a device…

The single exit price regime: manufacturers must publish one price for a medicine to all private-sector buyers. Affects every manufacturer, importer and wholesaler selling medicines into the South African…

Introduced dispensing licences, single exit pricing and generic substitution into the Medicines Act. Affects manufacturers, wholesalers and dispensers

Defines health supplements, permitted low-risk claims and maximum daily doses for vitamins, minerals, amino acids and similar substances. The key document for a food manufacturer whose product is drifting…

The core statute for medicines, scheduled substances and medical devices in South Africa; establishes SAHPRA, registration of medicines and section 22C licences. Binds every manufacturer, importer,…

Sets who may own a manufacturing, wholesale, institutional, community or consultant pharmacy and the licensing conditions for each. Affects the corporate structure of any pharmaceutical manufacturer or…

Defines the scope of services of each category of pharmacy, with regulation 16 covering manufacturing pharmacy services and regulation 17 covering wholesale pharmacy services. Affects the responsible…

The Good Pharmacy Practice standards the Pharmacy Council enforces, including minimum standards for manufacturing and wholesale pharmacies. Affects responsible pharmacists at manufacturing and wholesale sites

Governs the pharmacy profession and requires that manufacturing and wholesale pharmacies be recorded with the South African Pharmacy Council and be under a responsible pharmacist. Affects any manufacturer…

Proposed fees for Hazardous Substances Act licences and authorisations. Affects any site holding a Group III or Group IV authorisation

Declares which industrial substances (including Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention listed chemicals and mercury compounds) are Group I Category A hazardous substances. Affects anyone selling or handling…

Sets out which radioactive (Group IV) materials and devices are excluded or exempt from licensing. Affects anyone holding radioactive sources or measuring gauges on site

Licensing and control of Group III hazardous substances, that is electronic products producing non-ionising or ionising radiation. Affects plants operating x-ray inspection, UV or microwave equipment

Controls substances and products that are toxic, corrosive, irritant or that emit radiation, in four groups. Group I and II cover hazardous chemicals; Group III and IV cover electronic and radioactive…

2026 fee schedule for liquor product approvals and certification

Latest amendment to the Wine of Origin Scheme. Affects origin, vintage and cultivar claims on wine labels

The most recent amendment to the liquor product regulations. This is the current operative text for beverage alcohol producers

Departmental draft amendments to the Wine of Origin scheme circulated for comment. Affects wine producers

A major rewrite: new classes for agave spirits, beer, traditional African beer and other fermented beverages including mead and rice beverages; class designation compulsory on labels; sulphite declaration…

Amendment to the Wine of Origin scheme. Affects wine producers making origin claims

Restricts use of EU and UK geographical indications (for example Port, Sherry, Champagne) on South African liquor products

Fees payable for liquor product certification and analysis. Affects producers submitting products for certification

Restricts particulars, words and depictions that may be used when selling liquor products, complementing the labelling rules. Affects label and marketing copy for alcoholic beverages

Establishes the Wine of Origin scheme: production areas, estates, single vineyards, vintage and cultivar claims and certification. Affects every wine producer using an origin, vintage or cultivar claim

The principal liquor product regulations, classes, composition, permitted treatments, labelling and analysis. The notice number and date are confirmed inside the 2025 and 2026 amending notices; the original…

Controls the composition, production, labelling, sale and export of wine, spirits, beer and other fermented beverages. Core statute for the alcoholic beverage industry

2026 registration tariffs under Act 36 of 1947. Applies to registrants of remedies, feeds and pest control operators

Bans or restricts specified active ingredients. Directly changes what residues may lawfully appear in raw agricultural inputs, so it belongs in every supplier-approval and residue-monitoring programme

Registration, competency and record-keeping requirements for pest control operators. Food manufacturers must verify that their PCO is registered under these regulations, it is a standing audit finding

The principal registration regulations under Act 36 of 1947. Commonly cited as R.1716 of 26 July 1991 but neither the date nor the gazette number could be verified from a primary source

Requires registration of fertilizers, farm feeds, agricultural remedies (pesticides), stock remedies, sterilizing plants and pest control operators. Affects feed manufacturers, growers and any food plant…

Made under both the BCEA and the OHS Act. Restricts the work a child aged 15 to 17 may do, including work with hazardous chemicals, machinery, lifting, heat, cold, noise and night work. A food plant taking on l

Rewrites how mechanical and electrical engineer certificates of competency are applied for, examined and issued. Comment period 90 days from 10 April 2026. Relevant to any plant that must appoint a GCC holder u

Revises the training duty and three exposure/illuminance tables. Any lighting survey or EMF assessment done against the March 2025 tables must be re-checked against these amended values

Allows Type 2 personal noise exposure meters (meeting SANS 61672-1 and IEC 61252) to be used when determining noise zones for single-operator mobile plant that does not work from a fixed location. Useful to a p

Replaces the Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987 for heat stress, cold stress, vibration, non-ionising radiation and lighting. It repealed the 1987 regulations with effect from 6 September 2026. A fo

The current noise law. It repealed the Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations, 2003 with effect from 6 September 2026. Requires noise risk assessment, noise zoning and signage, engineering control, hearing prot

Proposed rewrite of the construction health and safety regime, including the client's duties and the construction work permit. A plant with a capital project pipeline should track it

Draft replacement for the 1988 General Machinery Regulations, including the GMR 2 supervision-of-machinery and competent-person appointment duties. Comment period was 90 days from 22 August 2025. A food or phar

Proposed replacement lead regime with revised exposure limits and medical surveillance. Only relevant to a plant with an actual lead exposure source

Proposed replacement HCA regime: GHS classification, safety data sheets, risk assessment every 24 months, exposure monitoring, medical surveillance and 40-year record retention. Directly relevant to a food or p

Second amendment to the asbestos regime. Read together with GN R.2092 of 2022 when compiling an asbestos register or appointing an abatement contractor

Applies to the manufacture, handling, storage and use of explosives. A food, beverage or pharmaceutical plant is NOT normally caught by these regulations: solvent, ethanol and alcohol storage is governed instea

Made binding under section 44 of the OHS Act. Sets the training, assessment, certification and re-licensing standard for forklift and crane operators; training providers must be accredited by QCTO or TETA until

Risk assessment, notification to the local authority and the Department, emergency planning and periodic review for installations holding threshold quantities of hazardous substances. Catches many food…

First amendment to the asbestos regime. A plant's asbestos management plan must be written against the regulations as amended, not the November 2020 text

Gave manufacturers and suppliers a transition window: chemicals manufactured or imported before 29 September 2022 could remain in circulation, but from 30 September 2023 all labelling and safety data sheets mus

The national code for explosion-protected (Ex) electrical apparatus and hazardous area classification. Directly relevant to a plant that stores or handles ethanol, IPA, flammable solvents, or generates combusti

Classification, risk assessment, exposure control and medical surveillance for biological agents at work. Relevant to food microbiology laboratories, fermentation operations and pharmaceutical manufacture….

Proposed amendment of the OHS Act itself, including modernised duties, penalties and enforcement. A plant should track it because it would change the incident-reporting and penalty regime, but it does not creat

Risk assessment, exposure monitoring, occupational exposure limits, GHS-aligned classification and labelling, safety data sheets, medical surveillance and record keeping for chemical agents. In a food or…

Catches any plant whose buildings or plant contain asbestos, and many South African food factories built before the 1990s do, in roof sheeting, gaskets, lagging on steam lines, and boiler and oven insulation. T

Requires an ergonomics risk assessment, control of ergonomic risk and worker information and training. Directly relevant to packing lines, deboning halls and repetitive manual tasks in food factories….

This is the notice that makes SANS standards legally binding for pressure equipment. It incorporates SANS 347 (categorisation and conformity assessment of pressure equipment), SANS 10227 (operation of inspectio

Governs all driven machinery, conveyors, hoists and lifting equipment. Regulation 18 is the lifting machinery and lifting tackle rule: performance test and thorough examination before first use and at least eve

Applies to a plant whenever it carries out or commissions construction work, a new line, a building extension, a tank farm, structural steel, demolition or major refurbishment. The plant is then the 'client' an

Covers switchgear, transformers, machine rooms, earthing, lock-out and work on or near live electrical machinery. A plant must control access to substations and MCC rooms, provide insulated equipment and safe i

Applies to goods lifts, passenger lifts and escalators in a factory or distribution centre. The user must have the lift inspected and tested by a registered inspection service provider at the prescribed interva

Requires every user or lessor of an electrical installation to hold a valid Certificate of Compliance in the form of Annexure 1 with an approved test report, issued by a registered person. This is the Certifica

Makes four SANS standards legally binding under the Electrical Installation Regulations: SANS 10142-1 (wiring of premises, low-voltage), SANS 10086-1 (electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres), SANS 10089

Design, manufacture, installation, operation, modification and periodic inspection of pressure equipment, including registration and approved inspection authorities. In a food or pharma plant this covers…

Sanitary facilities, washing facilities, changing rooms, dining rooms, drinking water and prohibition on eating in contaminated areas. Directly overlaps prerequisite programme requirements in a food…

Superseded. Recorded here because most South African safety files, hearing conservation programmes and audiometry procedures still cite GN R.307. Any document still referencing it should be re-pointed at the No

The reporting and record-keeping regulations. Regulation 8 requires an employer to notify the Provincial Director within 7 days of any incident under section 24(1)(a) of the Act on form WCL 1 or WCL 2, and imme

Applies only where employees may be exposed to lead. A food, beverage or pharmaceutical plant is normally caught only in narrow cases: lead-based solder or paint removal during maintenance or demolition, lead f

Sets the examination and issue requirements for the Government Certificate of Competency (mechanical and electrical engineer). Matters to a plant because General Machinery Regulation 2 requires machinery above

THIS IS THE PRINCIPAL GENERAL SAFETY REGULATION AND IT IS STILL IN FORCE. Notice 5954 of 6 March 2025 is an amendment to it, not a replacement, its official title in the gazette index is 'General Safety Regulat

Supervision of machinery, appointment in writing of a competent person under GMR 2(1) where machinery is used, machinery attendants, and control of access. This is the regulation behind the 'GMR 2(1)…

Repealed on 6 September 2026 by the Physical Agents Regulations, 2024. Cite the Physical Agents Regulations instead. Affects any plant whose safety file still lists this instrument

Amends the 1986 General Safety Regulations, substituting regulation 2 and inserting housekeeping, flooding, and fire precaution and egress provisions. The 1986 regulations remain the principal instrument to…

The general duty statute for a factory: employer duties (s.8), duties to non-employees including contractors and visitors (s.9), duty on suppliers of machinery and articles (s.10), incident reporting…

Four sets of regulations published in one notice. They fix the three-year claim prescription period, prescribe the reporting forms (W.CI.1, W.CI.2, W.CI.3 and W.CI.14), give COID inspectors investigation and en

The commencement instrument. It is what makes the 2022 COIDA amendments legally operative, a register that lists the Amendment Act without this proclamation cannot say when the new duties started

Sets the maximum earnings on which an employer's assessment is calculated at R633 168 per employee per year, with a minimum assessment of R1 621 (R560 for household employers), from 1 March 2025. A plant needs

The biggest change to COIDA in three decades. It extends the claim period from 12 months to three years, recognises post-traumatic stress disorder as a compensable occupational disease, covers injuries during e

Earlier technical amendment to COIDA. Recorded for completeness of the amendment chain in the register

The no-fault workplace injury and disease compensation statute. Every food, beverage and pharmaceutical employer must register with the Compensation Fund, submit an annual Return of Earnings, pay the assessment

The framework environmental Act. It creates the section 24 environmental authorisation system, the section 28 duty of care and remediation, section 24G rectification, and section 30 emergency incident reporting

A 2023 notice published by DFFE amending, or proposing to amend, the EIA Regulations. the notice number 3773 and Gazette 49081 are confirmed from the DFFE document filename, but I could not confirm

The most recent substantive amendment to all three EIA listing notices, including closure plan references and cross references to the Financial Provisioning Regulations. This is the current consolidated positio

Technical corrections to application timeframes and to entries in Listing Notices 1 and 3. Matters only when you are counting the statutory clock on an authorisation application

Republished Listing Notice 3 with the geographically specific triggers per province. Check this before assuming a small extension at an existing site is exempt

Republished Listing Notice 2 with 2017 amendments, listing the 29 activities that need a full EIA. Relevant where a plant proposes very large dangerous goods storage or large scale site clearance

The major 2017 overhaul of the EIA process: revised definitions, timeframes, public participation and the introduction of the national web based screening tool. It is the version of the process most consultants

Republished Listing Notice 1 in full with the 2017 amendments incorporated, including revised dangerous goods storage thresholds. This is the text a manufacturer should read when checking whether a new tank far

Omnibus amendment to NEMA and the specific environmental management Acts. It widened enforcement powers (municipal managers can now issue section 28 directives), tightened the section 24G rectification process

How the administrative fine is calculated when a company has already built or operated a listed activity without authorisation and applies to have it rectified under section 24G. Fines run up to R5 million and

Activities needing a Basic Assessment before they may start. It catches the everyday things factories do: storing dangerous goods above threshold (fuel, ammonia, solvents), infrastructure for the bulk transport

The 29 higher impact activities that require full Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting. Relevant to a manufacturer through large dangerous goods storage, large scale clearance of indigenous vegetation for

Activities that need a Basic Assessment only in identified geographical or sensitive areas, listed province by province. A plant expansion that needs no authorisation in one province may need one in another sim

The procedural rules for getting an environmental authorisation: Basic Assessment versus Scoping and EIR, timeframes, public participation, appeals, amendments and audits. If you are building a new plant, addin

The principal waste statute. It sets the general duty on a waste generator (section 16), the waste management licence regime, the Part 8 contaminated land provisions and the section 18 Extended Producer Respons

The draft national waste policy for the next strategy period, aligning waste policy with circular economy and packaging waste objectives. Not itself binding on a factory, but it signals where EPR targets, landf

Proposed further changes to the waste licensing activity list, published for public comment. Not yet binding, but a plant planning on site waste treatment or recovery should watch it because thresholds may move

The current amendment to the waste classification regime, in force from 7 November 2024. Any plant waste register or waste classification report written before this date should be re checked against the amended

The 2023 draft EPR amendment published for public comment. Not binding in its own right; the final text is the November 2024 amendment

Deferred the commencement of the EPR regulations and sectoral notices to 5 May 2021 and made consequential changes. Relevant only for establishing when producer obligations actually started running

The public comment draft of the 2021 EPR amendments. Included here because it is frequently and wrongly cited as binding law. It is not: the final version is GN 400 of 5 May 2021

The final 2021 amendments that brought the EPR regime into operation, reworking definitions, PRO obligations, targets and reporting. Together with GN 1184 and GN 1187 this is the version producers had to comply

Sets the conditions under which organic waste may be composted without a full waste licence, including siting, leachate control, odour, windrow management and record keeping. Highly relevant to food and beverag

Lets a company apply to have a waste stream excluded from the legal definition of waste where it is put to a beneficial use, subject to a risk assessment and risk management plan. This is the route a food or be

Lets a facility sort, bale, shred or crush general waste by registering and complying with the standard instead of applying for a full waste management licence. Directly useful to a plant with an on site recycl

Moved several general waste recovery and pre treatment activities out of full licensing into registration against norms and standards. Useful to a plant that sorts, bales or shreds its own cardboard, plastic an

Design, operation, signage, bunding, access control, training, emergency preparedness and audit requirements for waste storage areas above 100 cubic metres general or 80 cubic metres hazardous. It is the standa

Requires every waste generator to classify its waste using SANS 10234 (GHS) within 180 days, prepare safety data sheets for hazardous waste, keep records for five years and use the hazardous waste manifest syst

Before waste may go to landfill it must be sampled and analysed by a SANAS accredited laboratory for total and leachable concentrations and assigned a waste type (Type 0 to Type 4). This is the reason a factory

Sets landfill classes and waste acceptance criteria and progressively prohibits certain wastes from landfill, including liquid waste and high organic content waste. A plant sending liquid effluent sludge or bri

Requires persons conducting listed waste activities to register on the South African Waste Information System (SAWIS) and report waste quantities monthly or quarterly and annually. A plant with an on site waste

Sets Soil Screening Values (SSV1 and SSV2) for metals, hydrocarbons, PAHs and anions and prescribes how a site investigation and remediation must be done. Together with Part 8 of the Waste Act it means a plant

The current EPR position. It requires internal biannual financial audits by 31 July each year for the January to June period, external annual audits that incorporate the interim audit, PRO fee proposals every t

Explains the four permitted EPR fee models: flat fee, modulated fee, eco modulated fee and product take back scheme. A manufacturer uses this to check whether the per tonne fee its PRO is charging is properly d

The overarching Extended Producer Responsibility framework. It makes producers legally and financially responsible for their products at end of life, requires registration with the Department, membership of or

The sectoral notice that actually binds food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers. It covers paper, plastic packaging, glass, metal packaging, biodegradable and compostable packaging and identified single

Says which waste activities need a waste management licence (Category A basic assessment, Category B full EIA) and which only need compliance with norms and standards (Category C). On a food or pharma site this

The air quality statute. It creates listed activities and atmospheric emission licences (AELs), controlled emitters, ambient standards, atmospheric impact reports (section 30) and offence provisions. A plant wi

Further amendment to the listed activities and minimum emission standards, including compliance timeframe provisions. Check the consolidated text before concluding your boiler house is exempt

Revised several minimum emission standards, including sulphur dioxide limits for combustion installations. Relevant to a plant burning coal or heavy fuel oil that is already licensed or is close to the licensin

Requires any person controlling a listed Annexure 1 activity above threshold to register on the South African Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting System and report emissions and activity data annually by 31 Marc

Requires holders of listed activities, declared controlled emitters, mining right holders and facilities identified in a municipal by law to register on the National Atmospheric Emission Inventory System (NAEIS

Phases out ozone depleting substances. It bans the import of new or used refrigeration and air conditioning equipment containing HCFC-22 from 1 July 2014 and the use of HCFC-22 in new systems from 1 January 201

The previous dustfall standards (600 mg per square metre per day residential, 1200 industrial, measured by ASTM D1739). Retained here because most plant legal registers, dust management plans and consultant rep

The list of activities needing an atmospheric emission licence, with minimum emission standards for existing and new plant. Category 1 combustion installations are caught at 50 MW or more heat input per unit, w

The prescribed format of an atmospheric impact report, which an air quality officer can compel where a plant is suspected of contravening the Act or causing an air quality problem. Relevant to a plant facing od

The current dust rules, in force from 31 March 2026, which repeal the 2013 regulations entirely. They widen the scope to five categories of person, including anyone reasonably suspected of causing a dust nuisan

The water statute. Section 21 lists eleven water uses. A factory typically triggers 21(a) taking water, 21(b) storing water, 21(e) irrigating land with industrial effluent, 21(f) discharging waste or water cont

Governs the provision of water and sanitation services by municipalities and water services providers, and empowers them to make by laws regulating industrial and trade effluent discharged to sewer. A plant dis

The procedure and statutory timeframes for applying for a water use licence and for appealing a decision to the Water Tribunal, including pre application consultation and the 300 day decision timeline. If your

Current general authorisation for impeding or diverting the flow of a watercourse and altering the bed, banks or characteristics of a watercourse. It bites when a factory builds a stormwater outfall, a pipeline

Confirms that the General Authorisation in GN 665 of 6 September 2013 for section 21(e), (f), (g), (h) and (j) continues to apply until a new general authorisation for waste related activities is gazetted. This

The single most important water instrument for a factory with an effluent stream. It allows discharge of up to 2000 cubic metres per day into a water resource, disposal of up to 1000 cubic metres per day into a

Revised compulsory national standards for water and sanitation services issued under section 9(1) of the Water Services Act, replacing or overhauling the 2001 standards. Relevant because it resets the national

Regulation 9 governs the quantity and quality of industrial effluent discharged into a sewerage system and regulation 8 governs the use of effluent. It is the national backstop behind every municipal trade effl

A worked example of the municipal layer every factory must check. It requires written permission from the City before discharging industrial effluent to sewer, and Schedule 1 sets discharge limits including tem

Introduces routine FMD vaccination controls

Movement and biosecurity controls for FMD. Drives red meat and dairy supply disruption

Amends the Animal Diseases Regulations. Exact date

Controls notifiable animal diseases, movement of animals and animal products, quarantine and vaccination. Drives supply interruptions for meat, dairy and egg manufacturers (FMD, avian influenza)

Comprehensive draft replacement of the 1986 Animal Diseases Regulations, made under the not-yet-operational Animal Health Act 7 of 2002. Regulation 41 says they come into operation on final publication,…

Intended successor to the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984 but still not in operation as at September 2026. Do not cite it as current law

Amends the 2010 GMO regulations

The most recent amendment to the GMO regulations. This is the current text for GMO permit holders

Amends the 2010 GMO regulations

Permit applications, risk assessment, facility registration, labelling and liability for GMO activities. Applies to importers and users of GM maize, soya and derivatives. Not indexed as a PDF on gov.za; a…

Controls the development, production, use, import and export of GMOs through permits and the GMO Registrar. Affects manufacturers using GM maize, soya or cotton derivatives

Prescribes South Africa's legal measurement units (SI) and establishes NMISA, which holds the national measurement standards that laboratory and scale calibrations trace back to. Affects laboratory and…

Requires local-authority approval of building plans and empowers the National Building Regulations. For food premises it is the reason a factory, bakery, butchery or commercial kitchen needs approved plans…

The functional building regulations by Part (structural, drainage, sewage disposal, stormwater, lighting and ventilation, facilities for disabled persons, energy usage). For food premises the live Parts are…

Keeps the SABS as the national standards body and gives it the mandate to develop, promote and publish South African National Standards (SANS) and to provide conformity assessment. Critically, SABS no…

The code an employer and the CCMA must take into account when arranging shifts. It deals with shift length, shift rotation direction and speed, night work, rest periods, overtime and the health and safety effec

Taxes greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion, industrial process and fugitive emissions. Liability is triggered by conducting a Schedule 2 activity above threshold, which for combustion is 10 MW(th) comb

Prohibits dealing in counterfeit goods and gives inspectors, the police and SARS Customs powers of search, seizure and detention. Relevant to food and pharma for brand protection, parallel imports and…

SARS's operational rules for licensing, accounting for and paying the health promotion levy, including how sugar content must be evidenced. Affects any beverage manufacturer liable for the levy

The national noise control regulations, applied province by province. They distinguish disturbing noise (an ambient level exceedance) from a noise nuisance and empower a local authority to order abatement. A pl

The provincial noise regulations that apply in Gauteng in place of GN R154 of 1992, setting zone based ambient noise levels and the disturbing noise test. A Gauteng food or pharmaceutical plant must be assessed

Sets out which goods need an ITAC import permit and how to apply. About 276 tariff lines are under import control, and all used or second-hand goods need a permit, which catches second-hand food processing…

Establishes ITAC and provides for customs tariffs, trade remedies (anti-dumping, countervailing, safeguard) and import and export control. Affects food importers and exporters needing permits, rebates or…

The national trading law: registration of manufacturers and distributors of liquor, national norms and standards, and restrictions on advertising and trade practices. A brewery, winery or distillery needs…

Still in force. Its practical use for food is s.15, under which the Minister may prohibit by Gazette notice the use of specified words, marks or descriptions in connection with trade, the mechanism behind…

Mostly repealed, but it is the parent of the noise control regulations that still bind a factory. Its waste permit regime under section 20 was replaced by the Waste Act, and its EIA regime by NEMA. I confirmed

Relevant to a factory only for working time. Section 9 caps ordinary hours at 45 a week and 9 or 8 a day; section 10 caps overtime at 10 hours a week and requires agreement; section 12 allows compressed working

Section 2 prohibits smoking in a public place, and a workplace is a public place for this purpose. An employer may only permit smoking in a designated area that complies with the regulations, and may not requir

Codex hygiene code for powdered infant formula (Cronobacter/Salmonella control), published by DoH as the reference standard. Affects formula manufacturers and their auditors

The code of practice showing how to satisfy each Part of the National Building Regulations. It is not itself compulsory, a designer may use a rational design instead, but building control officers treat it…

PPECB 2025 levy schedule. Use the 2026 notice for current rates

Cold chain, inspection, container and documentation requirements for exporting perishables. Binding on every perishable exporter

Establishes the PPECB and its control over the export of perishable products, including cold chain, inspection and levies. Applies to exporters of fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and other perishables

Grants and administers plant breeders' rights over new varieties. Matters for varietal-claim labelling and licensed cultivar sourcing

Regulates propagating material, plant certification schemes and variety listing. Relevant to ingredient supply chains and seed sourcing rather than to factory operations

The sugar tax. Levied on sugary beverages at 2.1 cents per gram of sugar above a 4 g per 100 ml threshold, on both intrinsic and added sugar; where no valid test report exists, sugar is deemed to be 20 g…

Would impose a total indoor smoking ban with no designated indoor smoking areas, and would bring electronic delivery systems (vapes) within the same rules. A plant should note that its designated smoking area a

The operative smoking regulations. They allow the owner or employer to designate part of an outdoor area for smoking, subject to conditions, located away from entrances and thoroughfares, arranged to minimise s