Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 07PRETORIA2936, SOUTH AFRICA: PRODUCT SAFETY

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07PRETORIA2936.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
07PRETORIA2936 2007-08-22 10:12 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Pretoria
VZCZCXYZ0016
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSA #2936/01 2341012
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221012Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1312
UNCLAS PRETORIA 002936 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PLEASE PASS TO EEB/TPP/ABT FOR P.SAXTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EAGR ETRD TBIO SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: PRODUCT SAFETY 
 
REF: STATE 114788 
 
1.  In response to reftel, emboffs spoke with the South 
Africa Bureau of Standards, Department of Trade and Industry, 
International Trade Administration Commission of South 
Africa, South Africa Revenue Service and the Department of 
Health's (DOH) Directorate of Food Control regarding food and 
consumer product safety.  The DOH expressed an interest in 
further discussion on this topic.  South Africa's current 
procedures for product safety are highlighted below.  Post 
will continue to follow up with key officials in these 
departments to continue a dialogue on this issue. 
 
----------- 
Food Safety 
----------- 
 
2.  South Africa has a well-developed commercial agriculture 
and food production system.  Food Safety is regulated under 
at least fourteen government acts that are administered and 
enforced by several government authorities and assignees at 
the national, provincial, and municipal levels.  The 
Department of Health (DOH) is the primary food safety/control 
regulatory body, but coordinates closely with the National 
Department of Agriculture (NDA).  South Africa's agricultural 
and food exports generally meet international standards.  In 
addition to DOH and NDA, South Africa' exports must also meet 
standards established by South African Bureau of Standards 
and the Perishable Products Export Control Board with 
guidance from industry working groups. 
 
3.  South Africa is a relatively minor supplier of 
agricultural and food products to the United States.  In 
2006, U.S. imports of South African ag/food products were 
valued at 203 million USD, with seafood adding an additional 
31 million USD.  (Total U.S. ag/food imports last year were 
valued at 65.3 billion USD.)  Nearly 80 percent of the South 
African ag/food products imported by the United States are 
"consumer-oriented food items", predominantly fresh fruit (67 
million USD) and wine (42 million USD).  Other major products 
include processed fruits and vegetables, including juices (21 
million USD), sugar (20 million USD), and tree nuts (13 
million USD).  USDA works closely with South African 
exporters with regard to meeting U.S. plant and animal health 
standards. 
 
----------------------- 
Consumer Product Safety 
----------------------- 
 
4.  South Africa is in the process of fine tuning its 
consumer and product safety regulatory systems.  Product 
safety is governed by several regulatory agencies depending 
on the product.  The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) 
is the lead agency for public safety and consumer protection 
issues and is responsible for enforcement of compulsory 
minimum standards for the safety and performance of selected 
products that are considered inherently risky.  SABS 
standards, which are aligned with international standards 
when possible, cover products such as vehicles, electrical 
and electronic goods and components, chemicals, foods, and 
weapons.  Compulsory standards are applicable to all locally 
manufactured products, imported products, and products 
destined for export.  SABS enforces the compulsory standards 
through physical audits, market surveillance, and 
manufacturing plant inspections.  SABS has authority to issue 
sanctions ranging from cancellation of the sale of 
non-conforming products to destruction and prosecution. 
 
5.  The range of covered products can also be extended 
through a request to SABS with a subsequent assessment as to 
the dangers of the product to the public.  Other categories 
of products are regulated by various agencies, such as food 
products mentioned above, pharmaceuticals, which are governed 
by the Department of Health's Medicine Control Council, and 
fuel, oil and power products, which are regulated by the 
Department of Minerals and Energy. 
 
6.  The majority (60 percent) of SA exports to the U.S. are 
not consumer or food products, but consist of base metals, 
precious stones, and other mining related items.  Most of the 
consumer products that were exported to the U.S. last year 
fall within those categories monitored by SABS.  Manufactured 
products are 38 percent of SA's exports to the U.S. valued at 
15.6 billion rand (2.2 billion USD).  Vehicles constitute 11 
percent, chemical exports another 8 percent, and mechanical 
an electrical appliances 7 percent. 
 
7.  Products that fall outside of SABS or other regulatory 
agencies' purview are not regulated or standardized for 
safety concerns.  For example, defective toy products that 
have been recent subject of recalls in the U.S. are not 
governed by any regulations.  A draft Consumer Protection 
Bill (CPB) is in the middle of the legislative process, but 
due to delays and re-drafts, it likely will not be approved 
until latter 2008.  The CPB is designed to impose an 
obligation on manufacturers to ensure safe products and 
includes mechanisms for consumers to seek redress for 
manufacturing defects, a process for product recalls.  The 
CPB will also create a National Consumer Council to monitor 
consumer products in the market.  In addition, a draft 
Regulator for Compulsory Specification Bill is currently 
before Parliament, which would enable SABS to be more 
flexible in the application of standards (i.e., making 
exceptions for locally manufactured products being exported 
to countries with varying standards). 
 
------------------ 
Areas For Dialogue 
------------------ 
 
8.  South Africa faces many of the same concerns as the 
United States with regard to the safety of food and consumer 
product imports and may be willing to be a useful partner 
both bilaterally and multilaterally on the safety of these 
imports.  Compared to the rather rigorous standards for 
domestically produced food products and products destined for 
the export market, we believe that South Africa's controls 
over food imports are relatively weak.  In recent years, 
South Africa has encountered food safety problems related to 
chemicals, antibiotics and other contaminants in imported 
food products.  The limited range of consumer products 
governed by regulations is also an area in which a 
partnership may help to enhance overall consumer protection 
with both imported and exported products.  The DOH has 
already expressed a shared interest in pursuing further 
discussions.  Should SA be interested in pursuing potential 
cooperative programs, post would be interested in knowing if 
there are practical resources available to engage SA. 
Teitelbaum