DocumentOngoingMedia statement

Sabs And Ndoh On Condoms

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)Ref: https://www.sabs.co.za/sabs-and-ndoh-on-condoms

Official source

Source domain: sabs.co.za

Collected on 5 August 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This document is a SABS website media release containing a joint statement by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) about condoms branded as MAX. It reassures South Africa that government-issued MAX condoms are safe to use, following reports that condoms were being recycled and re-sold in Vietnam. The statement explains that each batch is subject to stringent manufacturing, packing requirements, and testing against South African National Standards (including SANS/ISO 4074), with additional NDoH sampling and packaging criteria. It also instructs the public not to use expired or damaged/leaking condoms and to dispose of condoms responsibly after single use.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

free personal protective equipmentOngoing

Use of government-issued MAX condoms

The public can use MAX condoms distributed by the National Department of Health. These condoms are produced under strict quality control, tested against national and international standards, and are safe for single use.

Who it is for: all individuals in South Africa who need condoms for sexual health protection
How to act on it: Obtain MAX condoms through government distribution channels such as clinics, health facilities, or public health campaigns; use only one condom per act and dispose of it after use.

Show the line this came from

The National Department of Health (NDoH) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) reassure South Africa that government issued condoms, which are branded as MAX condoms, are safe to use.

Facts

Places

City of Tshwane, Gauteng

Reference

https://www.sabs.co.za/sabs-and-ndoh-on-condoms

Key Takeaways

Joint statement by NDoH and SABS on MAX condoms
Reassures condoms are safe after reports of recycling/re-selling in Vietnam
MAX condoms distributed by NDoH: one billion free condoms annually
Each batch tested against SANS/ISO 4074 (natural rubber latex condoms)
SABS tests every batch in an accredited laboratory in Groenkloof, Pretoria
Additional NDoH sampling/packaging criteria: bursting pressure/volume, hole testing, design testing (lubricant), dimensions, packet integrity (water immersion), visual inspection
If any sample fails, the whole batch is destroyed
Public guidance: do not share/reuse/recycle; do not use expired or damaged/leaking packs; single-use disposal in a bin
National Department of Health (NDoH)
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
Dr Sandile Buthelezi (Director General of Health)
Jodi Scholtz (Lead Administrator of the SABS)
Roshelle Pillay (Media Relations, SABS)
Popo Maja (Departmental Spokesperson, Department of Health)