Pretoria: Cabinet has approved the decision for a notice to be issued by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies requiring the labelling of goods coming from Israeli occupied territories.

“Cabinet approved that a notice, in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, 2008, be issued by the Minister of Trade and Industry requiring the labelling of goods or products emanating from Israeli occupied territories to prevent consumers being led to believe that such goods come from Israel,” said Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi on Wednesday.

“This is in line with South Africa’s stance that recognises the 1948 borders delineated by the United Nations and does not recognise occupied territories beyond these borders as being part of the state of Israel.”

Earlier this year, the department issued Notice 379 that was published for public comment regarding the labelling of products alleged to be originating in the Occupied Palestine Territory by Israeli forces. At the time, the department said it wanted to ensure that consumers were provided with accurate information on the origins of the goods they bought.