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ESDA negotiates with SIRA - registration date extended

ESDA chairman Anthony Rosenbaum, addressed a letter to the Minister of Safety and Security on behalf of the members of the Electronic Security Distributors Association on 24 July 2002 - only weeks before the cut-off date for registration to the Security Industry Regulatory Authority (SIRA).

In his letter the ESDA chairman asked for exemption to the current training requirement to Grade B as implemented by the Security Industry Regulatory Authority as the Grade B standard is applicable only to the guarding industry. Rosenbaum also requested a moratorium of approximately six months in order to set up relevant training courses as already established in terms of the National Qualification Framework by the Standards Generating Body.

The appeal was made on the basis that the act was unfair to the electronic distribution industry to comply with regulations tailored to the guarding industry. This is contrary to the Act, which states in Chapter 2: "Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, under the Objects of the Authority clauses 3i. and 3j. ensure that the process of registration of security service providers is transparent, fair, objective".

Rosenbaum said in his letter: "We (ESDA) understand the necessity of a regulatory body like SIRA, but we do not see the relevance of undergoing unnecessary and costly training".

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority notified the industry on 26 July 2002 that the act published in the Government Gazette dated 8 March 2002 has been amended. Those who are required to register with the Private Security Regulatory Authority must submit their applications for registration by 1 December 2002 and no longer by 1 August 2002. The registration date of 1 October 2002 has now been amended to 1 March 2003.

ESDA has been at the forefront of the negotiations with the Security Industry Regulatory Authority. The positive result has been achieved due to the consolidated effort of ESDA in conjunction with SASFED, FDIA and SASA.

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