Unsafe, counterfeit, or poorly regulated products have the potential to cause significant harm to individuals, families, and the economy. This was the message from the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi, during his opening address at the National Consumer Commission’s G20 Webinar, held under the G20 umbrella and themed “Developments in Consumer Protection – with a focus on Product Safety and Digital Markets”, earlier today.
The webinar aimed to advance awareness and understanding of consumer protection issues, with a particular focus on product safety and developments within digital markets. It brought together a wide range of stakeholders, policymakers, regulators, business leaders, consumer advocates, and academics, all united by a shared commitment to safeguard the interests and well-being of consumers in an increasingly dynamic marketplace
Godlimpi described product safety as one of the fundamental pillars of consumer protection, noting that the impact of unsafe and counterfeit products extends beyond financial losses, affecting people socially, emotionally, and personally.
“Ensuring product safety is not simply a compliance exercise, it is a moral and social responsibility. It is about protecting the most vulnerable members of society, including children, low-income consumers, and those operating in informal markets,” said Godlimpi.
He emphasised that protecting consumers goes beyond enforcing compliance. It also means creating conditions for fairness, transparency, and innovation that empower citizens and strengthen the foundations of the marketplace.
“Over the past decade, we have witnessed a profound transformation in how goods and services reach consumers. Technological advances, digitalisation, and globalisation have created incredible opportunities – but also complex challenges. Consumers now engage with digital marketplaces across borders, receive targeted promotions powered by algorithms, and rely on online reviews or influencers to make decisions that were once made face-to-face. The landscape has changed dramatically, and our response as regulators, policymakers, and business leaders must evolve with it,” added Godlimpi.
To enhance product safety, Godlimpi highlighted three key focus areas:
- Strengthening regulatory frameworks and enforcement capacity to ensure that all products entering the market meet minimum safety standards;
- Increasing accountability across supply chains, ensuring that manufacturers, distributors, and retailers each play their part; and
- Promoting public awareness and education to empower consumers to identify, report, and avoid unsafe products.
Recognising that digital and product markets transcend national borders, Godlimpi underscored the importance of global cooperation and shared responsibility.
“An unsafe product manufactured in one country can reach millions of consumers elsewhere within days. Similarly, a misleading digital advertisement can spread across platforms instantaneously. This interconnectedness highlights the urgent need for international collaboration, harmonised standards, and robust information-sharing mechanisms,” he said.
He further noted that through the G20 platform and other multilateral engagements, South Africa continues to advocate for collaborative frameworks that promote consumer safety, ethical digital trade, and shared accountability among nations.
“Consumer protection cannot succeed in isolation. It requires the collective effort of government, industry, civil society, and consumers themselves. Businesses must view compliance as an opportunity – an investment in trust and long-term competitiveness. Regulators must continue to modernise their approaches through data-driven monitoring, digital enforcement tools, and agile regulation. Consumers, too, must play an active role by being informed, vigilant, and empowered to hold institutions accountable,” said Godlimpi.
In conclusion, Godlimpi reaffirmed government’s commitment to the protection and empowerment of consumers.
“Safe products and trustworthy digital platforms are not luxuries, they are non-negotiable pillars of a healthy, modern economy,” he concluded.
Bongani Lukhele – Director: Media Relations
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E-mail: BLukhele@thedtic.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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