36 TECHNICAL
NRCS shuts down
illegal geyser
refurbishing
The following is the complete text of a media release
issued by the National Regulator for Compulsory
Standards (NRCS)
NRCS issues a stern warning against the
illegal trade practice of geysers.
The National Regulator for Compulsory
Specifications (NRCS) has been inundated with
complaints on the sale and advertisement of
second hand/refurbished geysers that do not
comply with the applicable technical regulation
(VC 9006) for hot water storage tanks for domestic
use. In response, the Regulator conducted
inspections and discovered a surge in the illegal
selling of refurbished geysers.
All geysers, new and modified, must conform
with the safety and labelling requirements
as outlined in the technical regulation before
being offered for sale. It is therefore required
of any business trading in these products to
submit an application for approval of sale to
the NRCS.
Through this process, an applicant, importer or
manufacturer of regulated products is required
to submit a sample of a product and a full test
report acquired from an accredited testing facility
for examination, testing or evaluation to determine
compliance with the relevant compulsory
specifications that are in force before the Letter of
Authority Certificate (LOA) is issued.
The Regulator assesses the evidence of conformity
supplied by the applicant and grant approval when
the mandatory requirements have been met.
This is a rigorous administrative and technical
process which is followed to ensure that no LOA
Certificates are issued to unscrupulous traders,
manufactures or importers.
All industry players, contractors, insurance
companies and other interested parties are
therefore warned not to manufacture or sell noncompliant
second hand or refurbished geysers if
not approved by the NRCS.
Non-compliant products are hazardous and can
cause harm to consumers. Similarly, faulty geysers
can easily explode or cause an electric shock
when used and are also not energy-efficient.
Research has indicated that geysers account for up
to 39% of household electricity bills and it is hoped
that the enforcement of the regulation by the NRCS
will decrease the energy demand and bring muchneeded
relief to consumers who are feeling the
effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Suppliers and manufacturers shall ensure that
the product’s energy consumption information is
provided on the label and dealers must ensure
that they affix the supplied label on the outside
of displayed products and ensure that potential
end-users are provided with product energy
efficiency class and energy consumption data
before purchase.
The NRCS would also like to urge South African
consumers to be alert and request sellers to
produce proof of compliance (LOA) for products
before they purchase them.
Enforcing VC 9006 is in line with the NRCS’s
mandate of protecting human health, safety,
the environment and ensuring fair trade as well
as rooting out non-compliant products in the
market. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za September 2020 Volume 26 I Number 07