The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has effected changes to regulations and directions issued during the COVID-19 National State of Disaster. The changes come after consultations with the Department of Health and other key stakeholders in relevant fields.
The amendments withdraw and effect changes to some earlier provisions issued since the start of the national state of disaster to combat the destructive and other effects of the national disaster.
These include directions on Call Centres providing essential services and the Sale of Cars and Emergency Automobile Repairs among others. On 4 June 2020, the Minister of Employment and Labour issued directions (DEL directions) addressing health protocols applicable across sectors, including the need for sector guidelines. The representatives of the industry have subsequently agreed to maintain the health and safety measures contained in the respective directions. These Directions have thus been withdrawn.
In addition, Directions issued relating to the sale of clothing, bedding and footwear, as published on Government Notice No. R. 523 12 May 2020, have expired on 31 May 2020 and are therefore no longer applicable.
Furthermore, regulations related to export controls under section 6 of the International Trade Administration Act, 2002 (Act No. 71 of 2002) have been amended and simplified. This means a number of categories of medication (set out at 8-digit level), will no longer require export permits under the COVID-19 Export Control regime. In addition, these medicines deemed critical in the fight against COVID-19, will no longer require export permits when exporting to SACU or for clinical trials.
In addition, following consultations with the Competition Commission, regulations pertaining to the COVID-19 Block Exemption for the Retail Property Sector have been amended to include the cinema exhibition industry. The regulations are aimed at exempting certain conduct between designated retail tenants and the retail property sector, to promote concerted conduct to prevent an escalation of the national disaster.
Click here to access the gazette
http://www.thedtic.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/43432_11-6_TradeIndustCompetition.pdf
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
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