STEEL INDUSTRY ROLE PLAYERS: Powers to be given to ITAC to search imports that pose a national security threat.

Dear Steel Industry employer

On 6 March 2026, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) published a notice which proposes notable amendments to the International Trade Administration Act.

The overall aim of the proposed amendments appears to revise, strengthen and update the legislative framework regulating and overseeing the administrative, investigative and enforcement functions of the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).

Proposed changes include:

• providing ITAC the power to investigate imports which negatively affect our security interests nationally;
• allocating additional provisions with respect to the investigation of unreasonable or discriminatory foreign trade practices;
• simplifying the authority given to the Minister to suspend procedures and duties relating to how confidential information is processed; and
• streamlining several administrative provisions which relate to certificates, rebates, permits and drawbacks.

The dtic calls for parties within the industry to submit their written comments on the proposed amendments to Mr Alexander Amrein at aamrein@itac.org.za by no later than 6 April 2026 with the subject line being clearly marked “Comments on Proposed Amendments to the International Trade Administration Act, 2002”.

For more information
NEASA Media Department
media@neasa.co.za