On June 3, 2024, the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition issued Notice No. 2545 of 2024 through the Official Gazette, releasing the draft revision of the National Mandatory Code "Refrigerated Smoked Fish, Smoked Flavored Fin Fish and Their Products" (VC8021), with a feedback period until August 2, 2024. The main contents include:

(1) Applicable to fresh or cold smoked fish and smoked flavored fin fish, including processed whole fish, fish fillets, fish fillets and other products, for direct consumption or further processing;

(2) The relevant product manufacturers in South Africa should use the HACCP system and register with the National Mandatory Code Management Agency (NRCS);

(3) The products imported into South Africa should be declared to NRCS after they are available for inspection, providing import license, importer, product, shipping and other information, and accompanied by a health certificate, NRCS will conduct random inspection as planned;

(4) Export-related products should be applied to NRCS at least 1 working day in advance, and provide product information as required to ensure that the product meets the testing requirements specified in the mandatory specifications and reference standards, NRCS can require the specific testing required by the importing country, NRCS can also issue a health certificate for the export products of registered enterprises in accordance with the application.