Sparks Electrical News May 2022

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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The SAFEhouse Peer Review System which has been successfully implemented, gives effect to continued self-compliance. If non-con forming products are reported, confirmation is sought through partial testing and, in such cases, the member is obliged to take appropriate corrective action. Verification testing initiated by SAFEhouse is conducted by inde pendent accredited local test laboratories that are prepared to conduct partial testing. While many products used in fixed electrical installations are ‘regu lated’ through the requirements of SANS 10142, the Self-Compliance model could be very effective and will enhance consumer confidence.

NRCS’s insignificant allocation of funding for surveillance testing is reflected in NRCS Annual Reports and shows a testing and sampling allocation of less than 1% of Levy and LOA Approval income. Technical infrastructure degeneration SABS Test facilities: Since the implementation of the NRCS regulatory model in 2008 the technical infrastructure required for surveillance testing has suffered greatly. The impact on the SABS mark scheme, which has not been recognised by the NRCS as proof of compliance, has led to the degeneration of testing services at the SABS. The SABS technical staff complement has declined to around 20% of that before re-structuring and funding for maintenance and upgrad ing of test equipment and the sustainability of accreditation of testing services are under serious threat.

plaints from industry associations and their members spanning a broad range of issues. These include deficiencies in the current legisla tive framework as well as the implementation agencies, the regulatory and compliance model and approach, inadequate Monitoring, Verifica tion and Enforcement required to ensure compliance across industries, unsustainable costs associated with product testing, limited number of certified testing agencies, etc. It is envisaged that more companies will follow the Self-Compliance Approach through their industry associations, and thereby re-establish a ‘fair-trading’ environment, where the consumer can rely on product compliance supplied by those identifiable industry association mem bers.

Customer expectations The increased focus on Self-Compliance arises from ongoing com

Enquiries: info@safehousesa.co.za

The ban on partial testing which SABS introduced attempting to increase test income has impacted on local manufacturers, because partial testing is a criti cal component in product development. This partial test ban had the opposite effect and resulted in a sig nificant reduction in the SABS’s client base. Manufacturer’s test facilities: Fortunately, some manufacturer’s facilities for in-house testing (1 st party) are still available and reputable local manu facturers that are still operating under the SABS Mark scheme, have maintained their facilities to ensure continued product compliance. Although several private accredited laboratories (3 rd party) have been established, manufacturer’s own 1 st party test expansion and development creates the op portunity towards the gradual implementation of Self-Compliance formally known as Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDOC) model (SANS 17050) which is widely used in other countries and is the model on which the European CE mark is based. This gradual transition will take time but will increase consumer confidence in products supplied by such companies. Self-compliance The formation of the SAFEhouse Association was aimed at counteracting the proliferation of non compliant electrotechnical products in the South African market by introducing a Code of Conduct for its members that commit to the supply of products complying with the applicable national or interna tional standards and/or compulsory specifications. The SAFEhouse Association recognizes the need for an effective regulatory system and has shown its commitment in engaging with the regulatory authorities to raise industry concerns on specification development and MVE matters. Due to limited progress in these engagements, the need of electrical contractors and the public in general to enable the selection of compliant product has been recognised, which can only be resolved by a focus shift to Self-Compliance. SAFEhouse members are strongly advised to im plement appropriate procedures such as: product selection based on manufacturer supplied data; in coming goods inspections; verification/routine test ing; handling of complaints; and corrective action procedures, etc.

Safety testing.

Photometric testing.

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MAY 2022