Consumer and Corporate Regulation Branch (CCRB)
Dr Shandokane Evelyn Masotja: Deputy Director General – Consumer and Corporate Regulation Branch
Vision
To lead in consumer and corporate regulation that impacts positively on the South African economy.
Purpose
Develop and carry out coherent, predictable and transparent regulatory solutions that facilitate easy access to redress and efficient regulation for economic citizens, and to promote competitive, fair and efficient markets.
Objectives
- To increase access to economic opportunities for small businesses and previously disadvantaged citizens;
- To develop efficient regulation to reduce the regulatory burden on business and increase confidence and certainty in South African business regulation;
- To create a business regulatory environment that promotes competitive, fair and efficient markets;
- To provide access to redress for economic citizens to increase confidence in the markets;
- To promote awareness of rights, duties/responsibilities to increase activism and public participation; and
- To share and exchange regulatory experience with partners nationally and internationally to promote simple, appropriate and more effective regulatory solutions.
Composition
Consumer and Corporate Regulation Branch has the following functional areas:
- Regulatory Policy and Legislation
- Legislative Drafting
- Research
- National Liquor Authority
- Monitoring and Evaluation and Socio Economic Impact Assessment
- Consumer and Corporate Regulation
Regulatory Policy and Legislation
This unit is responsible for developing and reviewing policies and regulatory systems in the areas of liquor, gambling, lotteries, credit, consumer protection, company and intellectual property, as well as public interest regulation. Impact assessments, to determine the long-term effects of legislation on the economy, also form an integral part of the unit’s work. The unit generates debates based on legislation that it administers. Advocacy work is done inter-Branches and interdepartmentally in order to drive a coordinated approach in regulation. The unit raises awareness of rights and responsibilities of policies and legislation it administers through workshops, education and awareness. The unit provides advice to National Liquor Policy Council (NLPC) and National Gambling Policy Council (NGPC) respectively on the Liquor Act and National Gambling Act related matters. The unit also participates and presents papers to international organisations, namely the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Trade Organisation (WTO), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on matters relating to policy and legislation.
Legislative Drafting
This unit provides legislative drafting services. Drafting of legislation and regulations is carried out through basic and applied legal research and drafting technique. The drafting technique provides structure and ensures a more systematic and consistent legal writing. The unit together with Regulatory Policy and Legislation participates in advocacy and policy coordination programme, which promotes key principles in legislation, generates informed and effective debates with stakeholders and the general public on the proposed law. The unit also takes part in the parliamentary legislative process to motivate for a progressive legislation that promotes the interests of beneficiaries.
Research
This unit conducts research, market intelligence, market analysis and trend analysis to inform policy and regulations, and provide early warning systems of market failures. The unit is responsible for carrying out knowledge management system that facilitates relevant subscriptions through information resource centre and ensures development of information management systems to improve coordination and management of information on legislation and policy development processes.
National Liquor Authority
The unit is charged with the responsibility to regulate the macro manufacturing and distribution tiers of the liquor industry by registering macro manufacturers and distributors of liquor. The unit takes part in the outreach programmes to educate the internal and external stake holders about the implications of the Liquor Act. The unit empowers stake holders within formation on how to apply for registration at National Liquor Authority (NLA) by capacitating trading associations with training and create general awareness on the effects of alcohol abuse. The unit enforce and monitor compliance with Liquor Act. The unit coordinates the appointment of liquor inspectors on request by law enforcement agencies of government. The unit work with provincial authorities to enforce the national and provincial legislation as well as advising the National Liquor Policy Council (NLPC) on implementation of the liquor policies and laws, focused inspections and prosecutions in relation to violation of liquor legislation.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment
This unit conducts regular monitoring and evaluation of regulatory solutions and performance of CCRB agencies on the delivery of the mandate. The unit is also responsible for socio-economic impact assessment on policies, legislation, monitoring and evaluating the performance of the Branch and effectiveness of CCRB agencies namely, Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, Companies Tribunal, National Consumer Commission, National Consumer Tribunal, National Credit Regulator, National Gambling Board, National Lotteries Commission and Takeover Regulation Panel. The unit also acts as a secretariat for the Regulatory Cluster meetings with CCRB entities.
Consumer and Corporate Regulation
This area coordinates operational controls and systems to improve efficiencies, development of strategic partnerships with other agencies and authorities, improve stakeholder relations management, coordinates Branch strategy, business plans and special projects, internal governance and strategic leadership, and provide guidelines and standards for service delivery. Facilitates transfer of funding to the CCRB agencies, monitors sustainability, and ensures accountability and leadership in agencies. The unit is also responsible for secretariat function to statutory committees such as Patent Examination Board (PEB), Specialist Committee on Company Law (SCCL), Standing Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property (SACIP) and the National Policy Councils (NLPC and NGPC).
