The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications ( NRCS) was established on 1 September 2008, in accordance with the provisions of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, (Act no. 5 of 2008) (NRCS Act) . It emerged as an independent organisation from the original Regulatory Division of the South African Bureau of Standards and falls within the area of responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) . The NRCS's mandate includes promoting public health and safety, environmental protection and ensuring fair trade. This mandate is achieved through the development and administration of technical regulations and compulsory specifications as well as through market surveillance to ensure compliance with the requirements of the compulsory specifications and technical regulations. NRCS stakeholders include the South African Government, industry and the citizens.