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SA's draft AI rules are out. You have until 10 November to comment

· Reported Team

Derrick Coetzee, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has put a set of draft artificial intelligence standards out for public comment (Polity), and the window closes on 10 November 2026 (Government Gazette 55353).

The standards are voluntary. They are not a law and no company will be forced to follow them (MyBroadband). They land while the government is still rewriting its national AI policy.

What do the draft AI standards cover?

The drafts were published under the Standards Act in Notice 4147 of 2026, dated 11 September 2026 (Government Gazette). The AI documents are:

  • SANS 12792: what information should be disclosed about an AI system so users understand how it works (transparency).
  • SANS 2620 Parts 1, 2, 3 and 5: how to measure, manage and govern the quality of data used to train and run AI and machine learning systems.
  • SATS 8200: how to keep automated AI systems controllable, so a person can monitor them and step in.
  • SATR 24030: a collection of real-world AI use cases across different sectors.
  • SATR 20226: the environmental footprint of AI systems, including energy use, carbon impact and waste.

All of them close for comment on 10 November 2026 (Government Gazette). They were prepared by the SABS technical committee on information technology and AI, and are based on international ISO/IEC standards (MyBroadband).

Do businesses have to follow them?

No. Standards like these are not legally binding. Organisations that build or use AI can choose to adopt them to show their systems meet a recognised benchmark for quality, safety and transparency (MyBroadband).

How do you comment before 10 November?

The gazette notice says anyone who wants a copy of a draft, wants to send comments or wants to join the committee should email [email protected] or visit the SABS website (Government Gazette).

Interested parties, including organisations that develop or use AI, can comment (MyBroadband).

What happened to South Africa's national AI policy?

The government withdrew its draft National AI Policy in 2026 after it was found to contain fake, AI-generated references (MyBroadband). Communications minister Solly Malatsi said the department had not met the standard expected of it (MyBroadband).

An independent expert panel is now reviewing the policy. In a written reply to Parliament on 15 October 2026, the minister said the aim is to submit a revised policy to Cabinet by March 2027, and that disciplinary processes against the officials involved have started (PMG). Public consultation on the new policy is expected from April 2027 (Diplo).

FAQ

What are the SABS draft AI standards?

They are voluntary South African standards covering AI transparency, data quality, human oversight of automated systems, AI use cases and the environmental impact of AI. They were published for public comment in Government Gazette 55353.

When is the deadline to comment on the draft AI standards?

Comments close on 10 November 2026.

How do I submit comments on the SABS AI standards?

Email [email protected] or visit the SABS website to get a copy of the drafts and send comments.

Are the SABS AI standards law in South Africa?

No. They are voluntary standards that organisations can choose to adopt. They are not legally binding.

When will South Africa's new national AI policy be ready?

The communications minister told Parliament the aim is to submit a revised National AI Policy to Cabinet by March 2027, with public consultation expected from April 2027.

Sources

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