Automotive - Tyres
All pneumatic tyres for use on passenger and commercial vehicles and trailers in South Africa must conform to compulsory safety standards. To ensure that they comply with safety requirements on an ongoing basis they are subjected to an approval process (homologation). We administer the regulations and compulsory specifications for tyres.
Compulsory Specification
The manufacturer must have implemented an internationally recognized Quality Management system and the tyres must conform to the applicable South African compulsory specifications and corresponding ECE Regulations and Directives:
| Description |
Category |
|
New Pneumatic tyres for Passenger Cars and their trailers
|
Compulsory Specification: VC8056
ECE Regulation 30
|
|
New Pneumatic tyres for Commercial Vehicles and their trailers
|
Compulsory Specification: VC8059
ECE Regulation 54
|
Markings Required:
- Proof of compliance with the compulsory specification: "E" mark on the tyre and "E" Certification and/or
- Verification that the manufacturer operates a quality management system certified by an accredited authority (copy of certificate)
The following additional markings must appear on the sidewall:
- Size
- Tread Pattern
- Load/Speed Index
- "E" mark
- Date of manufacture
- Radial/Bias
- Whether tubeless or not
Examples:
Passenger tyres: 185/70R14 90T TUBELESS M+S
E4 2504
Commercial tyres: 12R22.5 150/154M
E4 2504
Commercial tyres: 7.00-16LT 112/115J or
Commercial tyres: 195R14C 106/104Q
Tyre Homologation
What it is:
In the interest of road safety, the Minister of Trade and Industry has introduced compulsory specifications for tyres. The homologation of tyres, introduced on 1 January 1996, is the procedure followed in order to administer the introduction of legal requirements published in Government Gazette of 16 November 2001 (Amendment).
Why it is done:
Homologation has been introduced as a measure to minimise the risk of non-complying tyres being introduced into the marketplace and being sold to the public. It will reduce the possibility of a costly exercise to withdraw tyres already distributed throughout South Africa and which do not comply with the legislative requirements, and minimise legal action against the supplier (i.e. importer and/or manufacturer).
When it is done
Homologation is required before a tyre is imported or released for sale. It is, therefore, necessary to complete the homologation procedure before introducing any tyre into the South African market.
Who should do it:
In order to minimise the costs, administration and infrastructure for monitoring the distribution of tyres, Importers and Manufactures are expected to homologate all tyres put up for sale in South Africa. Although it is an offence to sell any commodity not complying with legal requirements, the onus rests with the Importer and /or Manufacturer to ensure compliance with legal requirements, and tyre distributors are therefore obliged to ensure that only homologated tyres are purchased and distributed.
Where it is done
Homologation is conducted at our Automotive Regulatory Department in Groenkloof, Pretoria.
Application forms MA38A or B should be submitted to us.
