SABS adopts international standards to have condoms tested

"Before the formal adoption of these standards, no test methods existed in South Africa for condoms made from synthetic materials. Hence the adoption of the international standards allow products to be tested locally while giving local manufacturers an opportunity to supply raw materials or develop new innovative products for commercial trade," says Dr. Sadvhir Bissoon, standards executive at the SABS.

Through the continued relationship between the SABS, the Department of Health (DoH) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), both male and female condom standards were adopted as South African National Standards (SANS). These condom products are produced from synthetic materials, or blends of synthetic materials and natural rubber latex, and are supplied to consumers for contraceptive purposes and to aid the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).