Question NW2272 to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
01 July 2022 - NW2272
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
What is the current status of the development of policy measures (i) VC 9109 and (ii) VC 9110 by his department, as gazetted on 1 March 2021, to transition our domestic lighting away from old, outdated and inefficient lighting technologies that often get dumped in our market, to newer and more energy-efficient technologies such as light-emitting diode bulbs and (b) by what date is it envisaged that the new policy measures will be adopted; 2) whether he intends to table the proposed new policy measures in the National Assembly for its consideration and input prior to adopting them; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. I am advised that the proposed specifications were published for public comment and that the dtic has considered the comments and is currently finalizing the publication of the Compulsory Specification for Performance of general service lamps (VC 9109); and the Safety of general service lamps (VC 9110).
The new specifications are expected to be published in the Government Gazette by September 2022.
2. The Department does not table technical regulations/compulsory specifications at the National Assembly prior to implementation. The matter is regulated by section 13(1) of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, 2008 (Act No. 5 of 2008) which prescribes the process for finalizing regulations. The Honourable Member is encouraged to provide any submission on the matter to the Department within the next two weeks. Although the deadline for public comment has passed, I will request the Department to take these into account prior to submitting their final report to me. the dtic and the technical agencies would be subject to oversight by the National Assembly through the Portfolio Committee in relation to the work they have undertaken.
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