The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is recalling the Econo Cement CEMV/AS-V32.5N product from all distributors and retail outlets across South Africa, saying it has failed to meet the requirements of the compulsory specifications for cement, NRCS acting CEO Dr Duncan Mutengwe said in a media briefing on December 11.

He said the product failed to meet the minimum requirements for the prescribed strength as set out in the compulsory specifications.

The statement is strongly disputed by Econo Cement which, through its lawyers, described the NRCS’ assertions as being damaging to its reputation and ongoing operations.

The company also highlighted that it had not manufactured the CEMV/AS-V32.5N since October 4, when NRCS issued a directive prohibiting the product’s further manufacture and despite separate tests proving conformity with the standards.

Mutengwe said the move to recall the product followed intensive investigations, which included sampling and testing to ascertain the suitability of the product to be offered for sale in South Africa.

These investigations were initiated following the considerable number of complaints received about the product, with tests revealing that the strength was below what had been initially reported.

Mutengwe emphasised that the recall was necessary given that this product was used in construction, with critical and large infrastructure such as multistorey buildings and roads at risk, as the lower strength could compromise the integrity of these.

He said the recall was aimed at ensuring that consumers and the economy at large were not impacted.

Mutengwe said that, following evidence of non-compliance against the requirements, the manufacturer’s letter of authority, which permits the sale of the product, had been withdrawn and it had been directed to stop manufacturing of the product.

The NRCS will be stopping all stocks of the product found in the chain of trade, and it is calling on consumers not to buy the product, and to report cases of it to the organisation.

All distributors in possession of the product have also been urged to return it to their suppliers and to keep proof of this and inform the NRCS via the email info@nrcs.co.za.

Mutengwe said the product was available in three provinces; however, it was possible that it may also be available elsewhere in the country.

The NRCS has therefore called on all hardware stores selling it to urgently contact the organisation and to stop sales, while consumers have been urged to also keep an eye out for it and to contact the NRCS with any enquiries.

However, Econo Cement, through its attorneys Darryl Reece and Jodi Poswelletski, disputed the NRCS account, pointing out that it relied exclusively on tests conducted in July 2023, in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumulanga.

“Since the end of September 2023, our client has engaged extensively with the NRCS regarding the allegations that our client manufactured cement below strength in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements and the regulations relating thereto.

“Our client’s cement was sampled and tested by two independent SANAS-accredited testing laboratories, over the same period in which the samples were taken by the NRCS, which test reports yielded positive conformity results,” the attorneys stated.

They also highlighted that tests conducted on the day that the NRCS issued the first directive alleging that its product did not conform with the minimum standards and requirements, found the product to conform with such requirements.

The NRCS, the attorneys added, was in possession of these test results which were provided to them on November 28, well before the December 11 media briefing.

“Despite the overwhelming evidence of conformity by our client and the genuine challenge concerning their sampling methods, our client’s Letter of Authority was withdrawn.”

They said the NRCS could not distance itself from these facts, “although they have for reasons best known to them, ignored them”.

It was also highlighted that Econo Cement manufactured other products at its premises, in conformity with the required standards, and which were not the subject matter of the NRCS briefing.