GAZETTE WATCH – JANUARY 2021

1.    MOTOR INDUSTRY

GUIDELINES FOR COMPETITION IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET

These guidelines not only affect suppliers who make up the motor industry, but will also have an impact on consumers. It’s an interesting read and all readers are urged to have a look at the guideline, especially if you are currently under a motor plan or are planning to purchase a vehicle.

2.    ENVIRONMENTAL

AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE PHASING-OUT AND MANAGEMENT OF OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

The schedule has been amended increasing the list of substances – all persons or entities who produce or use ozone-depleting substances should take a careful look at these amendments and implement the required controls where applicable.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: WASTE ACT: AMENDMENT – REGULATIONS: EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY

These amendments apply to Producers or users of:

• Packaging: glass and paper, including plastic, glass, metal, steel, tinplate and aluminium packaging: including biodegradable, paper and plastic packaging , bottles, containers, jars; extruded products: straws, sheets; and Thermoformed products, Glass (Bottles and Jars);

• Lighting products: including different types of Lighting equipment;

• Electrical and electronic equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly and equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields and designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1 000 volts for alternating current and 1 500 volts for direct current, including
• Large equipment (any external dimension more than 100 cm); Medium equipment (any external dimension between 50 and 100 cm); Small equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm); and Batteries.

They require

• existing producers to register with the Department, within 6 months of the coming into effect of these regulations (5 May 2021) by completing the form obtainable from the Department. “.

• existing producer responsibility organisations to register with the Department within 6 months of the coming into effect of these regulations (5 May 2021) by completing the form obtainable from the Department.

• a producer of any of the products listed above, on or before 5 November 2021, to either-

(a) develop and submit an extended producer responsibility scheme according to the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, 2020 to the Department; or

(b) establish a product responsibility organisation which must prepare and submit an extended producer responsibility scheme to the Department.

3.   LABOUR

ANNUAL REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT OF THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE FOR 2021

The new national minimum wage is R21.69 per hour, an increase of 4.5%.

Farm workers’ minimum wage is now equal to the national minimum wage for the first time.

The minimum wage for domestic workers is still below the national wage, but has been hiked by 23% this year – and should be on par by 2022.

DETERMINATION: EARNINGS THRESHOLD

The earnings threshold has been increased to R211 596.30.

All employees earning in excess of R211 596.30 are excluded from the application of sections 9,10,11,12,14,16,17(2) and 18(3) with effect from 1 March 2021.