Airbags, ABS and ESP could become compulsory on new vehicles sold in South Africa.
Critical safety features such as airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) could become compulsory on new vehicles sold in South Africa under proposed changes to the country's vehicle safety regulations.
In a Government Gazette notice issued on July 10, 2026, entitled GoN 7686, the South African government proposed significant changes to the compulsory safety specifications for new passenger vehicles sold in the country.
Among the key proposals is a requirement for vehicles to be fitted with “airbags that are intended to protect all occupants other than the driver”. While this could potentially point to side and curtain airbags being required in addition to frontal airbags, this is not explicitly stated in the draft proposal.
The Draft Compulsory Specification also calls for a prescribed minimum level of occupant protection in a side-impact crash, although the specific equipment or measures manufacturers will need to use to meet that requirement are not explicitly set out.
