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NCC: Consumer Protection Act – Draft guidelines on descriptions and price disclosures
- 27 October 2026
- Law
- South African Accounting Academy
Summary:
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has published Section 22 draft guidelines on product descriptions, labelling, issuance of sales records, and price disclosure requirements.
Article:
These Guidelines are intended to provide practical guidance to suppliers, importers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and service providers regarding compliance with product description, labelling, sales record, and price disclosure requirements contemplated in the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
The draft guidelines target widespread non-compliance uncovered during nationwide inspections between July 2024 and March 2026—particularly among spaza shops, informal traders, and small retailers.
These Guidelines apply to all suppliers, manufacturers, producers, importers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers, and service providers supplying goods to consumers within the Republic of South Africa through physical retail stores, online and electronic commerce, mobile and informal trading and any other form of supply of goods or services to consumers.
Draft guidelines that state they are not binding on the National Consumer Commission, the National Consumer Tribunal or the courts; and that also state that non-compliance may result in compliance notices, administrative fines, product recalls, referrals for prosecution; and/or any enforcement action permitted in law, published.
Comments are due by 2 November 2026.
Click here to download the 10-page Gazetted Guideline document:
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202609/55406rg12049gon7922.pdf
Relevance to Auditors, Independent Reviewers & Accountants:
- The Consumer Protection Act is yet another piece of legislation that your clients must comply with, and which you must assess compliance with. If they don’t comply with the relevant laws and regulations, you have certain reporting obligations in terms of NOCLAR (NOn-Compliance with Laws And Regulations) – this could include reporting to management, qualifying your audit opinion, reporting a Reportable Irregularity, etc.
- As an auditor, independent reviewer and accountant, you need to be aware of the latest publications and media releases by regulators, e.g. the CGSO.
- As a consumer, you also need to be aware of any guidelines issued by regulators like the NCC.
Relevance to Your clients:
- Suppliers and consumers have a duty to comply with the Consumer Protection Act, otherwise they could be held liable.
- As a consumer, your clients also need to be aware any guidelines issued by regulators like the NCC.