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AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR: REPLACEMENT CODE OF CONDUCT GAZETTED
- 11 November 2026
- Consumer Law
- SA Legal Academy
The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition has gazetted a new code of conduct for the automotive sector, which is defined as ‘including but not limited to, importers, dealers, manufacturers, retailers, franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, and intermediaries who import, distribute, produce, retail or supply passenger, recreational, agricultural, industrial, or commercial vehicles’.
Such vehicles include but are not limited to ‘trucks, motorcycles, quad cycles or, whether self-propelled or not, an internal combustion propelled engine for a boat’.
The code also applies to:
- the importers, distributors, manufacturers and remanufacturers of completed components
- the retailers and suppliers of completed components and accessories
- related repair or replacement services to consumers, and
- vehicle modification, conversion, adaptation or towing.
In force from 1 December 2026, the new code of conduct will replace one published in October 2014 under the 2008 Consumer Protection Act. This is noting that it was released in draft form in May 2026 for public comment, as SA Legal Academy reported at the time.
The code’s covering notice also announces the accreditation of the sector’s alternative dispute resolution scheme, which is administered by the automotive sector ombud.
Serving as a guide to automotive sector stakeholders on the minimum standards of conduct expected when engaging with consumers, among other things the new code outlines:
- the procedures to be followed when lodging and processing a consumer complaint
- the process of handling disputes between an industry and the ombud
- the role, functions and obligations of the ombud
- the powers, duties and functions of the board
- related governance, management and administrative matters, and
- financial affairs.
Please click the link below for more information:
- new code of conduct
Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch
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