NRCS raises alarm over rising trade in unregulated goods in Polokwane

POLOKWANE – The National Regulator of Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has raised alarm over the dangerously thriving market of unregulated goods in the city, warning that these products pose a serious risk to both informed and unsuspecting consumers.

Many buyers are lured by lower prices, but the goods are often unsafe.

You might also want to read: 80% of Polokwane’s spaza shops fail health standards

Last Tuesday, the NRCS joined forces with Sars, the Department of Home Affairs and the police in a large-scale crackdown on shops in the city’s central business district (CBD).

Stores, many operated by non-compliant foreign nationals, were found selling goods imported into the country without approval from the NRCS.

According to NRCS media and public relations specialist Danie Ramarumo, the trade in illegal goods has escalated significantly.

“When Polokwane was smaller, the market was not as big as it is now. Currently, it is growing at a concerning rate, with dangerous skin lotions, food, automotive and mechanical products being sold without regulation.

In some cases, products recommended to customers had no branding at all,” he explained.

One of the targeted areas was China City in the CBD, where inspectors discovered that several stores had ignored repeated warnings from the regulator.

“Such groups were issued directives before, multiple times. So when we find them, we do not negotiate but confiscate their products,” Ramarumo said.

Some store owners claimed they were unaware that their products were unregulated, having purchased them from mass distributors elsewhere in the country.

In these cases, inspectors issued warnings, provided information, and only confiscated items deemed harmful to consumers.

The NRCS has urged the public to report concerns regarding unregulated products.

Complaints or queries can be directed to 012 482 8700 or emailed to info@nrcs.org.za.