MARCH WEEK 1 – POPIA update: POPIA regulations are coming into effect and the guideline on the codes of conduct is published 

POPIA

POPIA update: POPIA regulations are coming into effect and the guideline on the codes of conduct is published

On 26 February 2021, the Guideline to Develop Codes of Conduct (Guideline) was gazetted and notice was given that Regulations issued in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) are coming into effect. In relation to the Regulations, the Government Gazette (No 44191) notified that Regulation 5 (relating to the application for issuing of Codes of Conduct) is effective as of 1 March 2021. Regulation 4 (relating to certain responsibilities of Information Officers) will be effective on 1 May 2021 and the rest of the Regulations will come into effect on 1 July 2021.

Click here to view.

https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202103/44191gen75_0.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL

New alien, invasive species lists, regulations in force

Alien and invasive species lists and regulations published in September 2020 are now in effect, their commencement having been postponed in October to 1 March. This was confirmed in a recent Government Gazette notice also drawing attention to the status of brown and rainbow trout.

LEGAL

Digital letter allowed as demand for payment

In a groundbreaking order, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, has accepted the digitally registered delivery of a Section 129 final letter of demand for payment as the basis for granting a default judgment.

TOBACCO

Researchers renew call for e-cigarette regulation

Majority of e-cigarette users continued to smoke and few of them manage to stop smoking for more than six months, research shows

Local public health researchers have called on the government to revive legislation intended to regulate e-cigarettes, saying they are being heavily marketed to young people as a means to stop smoking, but don’t help people kick the habit for good.

TRADEMARKS

KZN honey widow goes toe-to-toe with retail giant

Debbie Power and her team of five are purveyors of the “finest” totally natural and 100% local honey available in KZN. The business, Nature’s Gold, has been Power’s happy buzz, till she discovered the retail giant was riding roughshod over her trademark rights. Her efforts to seek redress since 2019 have been rebuffed by Food Lover’s Market (FLM) on grounds other than the legitimacy of the trademark.