The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa hereby gives notice to all interested stakeholders about the publication of the Draft Type Approval and the Draft Labelling Regulations. These regulations seek to address the approval and certification of electronic communications equipment in the country.
The Authority is publishing these regulations in the light of the marked increase in the supply and demand of electronic communications equipment, and that some of the electronic communications equipment are being sold, leased and/or used by consumers without the necessary type approval and certification by the Authority.
The use of electronic communications equipment that is not type-approved and certified by the Authority, may cause harmful interfere with the operations of licensees' networks and/or other electronic and electrical equipment. Non-type approved equipment can also be unsafe for use by the general public.
The Authority is therefore calling on licensees, operators, the public and all affected parties to comment and make submissions to the published draft regulations. The draft regulations are also meant to streamline the type approval framework and labelling requirements in line with the laws governing electronic communication services.
The Draft Labelling Regulations requires that all electronic communications equipment that have been type-approved and have received a type-approval certificate to bear a legible ICASA label that is permanently affixed to such equipment. The label must be affixed to the equipment before such equipment is made available for sale, lease or is supplied in any way whatsoever.
On the other hand, the Draft Type Approval Regulations seek to establish a framework for equipment certification and approval of type that is non-discriminatory and transparent. The Authority holds that the draft regulations will inspire trust and confidence in equipment suppliers, service providers and the general public.
All enquiries relating to the two draft regulations can be directed to Mr Albert Ntavhaedzi at (011) 566 3855 or ANtavhaedzi@icasa.org.za. Public comments from all interested stakeholders on both draft regulations are to reach the Authority by close of business on 15 February 2013.
For all media enquiries please contact:
Paseka Maleka
Tel: 011 566 3455
Mob: 079 509 0702
Email: pmaleka@icasa.org.za
