Tracking codes proposed for food, clothing, medicines and appliances

Food, clothing, medicines and electrical appliances could be required to carry unique tracking codes under a Department of Trade, Industry and Competition proposal opened for public comment on 9 November.

The department wants a system that allows regulators to follow products through the supply chain and identify illicit or unsafe goods. Its eight-page discussion paper includes proposed regulations covering tobacco, alcohol, cannabis products and vaping devices alongside those everyday goods.

The annexure would require an importer, manufacturer, producer or distributor to ensure that a code is attached to each individual unit before it enters the South African market. The code would link to a record identifying the product, its manufacturer or supplier, batch information and origin.

For clothing and textiles, the proposed code could be incorporated into a sewn-in label, swing tag or another durable format. The draft also requires clear origin and manufacturer information on prescribed goods.

The proposals extend beyond the border. Manufacturers, importers and packagers would have to keep detailed code records. Specified information would be submitted to the designated registry within seven days of importation, production or packaging, and records retained for at least five years.

The National Consumer Commission would have unrestricted access to repository data and could give controlled access to other public bodies for work such as customs enforcement, public health and criminal investigations. Independent operators could run the technical systems under the commission’s control, while enforcement decisions would remain with the regulator.

The draft also allows the minister to prescribe fees for product or code registration, use of the repository and compliance work. It sets no rand amounts. Any prescribed fees would have to be reasonable, proportionate and transparent, with provision for exemptions.

The department describes this as an initial discussion before the formal regulatory process. It says participants will still be able to comment when draft regulations are published in the Government Gazette.

Written comments on the discussion document are due by 11 December 2026 and can be sent to Consumers@thedtic.gov.za or mzwimbane@thedtic.gov.za. Businesses and consumer organisations can examine the full proposed wording in Annexure A, including the product categories, record-keeping duties and fee provisions.