THE EASTERN CAPE’S catalytic converter industry will benefit from the creation of a new market if the South African government goes ahead with plans to enforce the fitment of catalytic converters to locally manufactured vehicles. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) has recommended the fitment of catalytic converters to new cars and light commercial vehicles become mandatory from January 2003. The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s primary producer of catalytic converters. Stuart Rayner, Naamsa's fuels and emissions working group chairman, said the association had already recommended the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) amend the compulsory motor vehicle specifications to bring this about. Rayner said these amendments, if implemented, would result in the phased introduction of catalytic converters from 2003 to 2008 on new models. The requirement would only apply to new models introduced after this date and would not affect current models. Rayner said this process was happening already without any legislation to enforce it, and about 40 per cent of new cars now sold in South Africa were fitted with catalytic converters. Catalytic converters form part of the exhaust system of motor vehicles. They are designed to reduce harmful gaseous emissions. Rayner stressed that the fitment of catalytic converters was expensive. Compulsory specifications needed to be put down in legislation to create a level playing field for all manufacturers. He said the SABS was drawing up the amendments for the compulsory fitment of catalytic converters, but he was concerned that draft specifications had not yet been gazetted. Rayner said leaded fuel was banned in Europe and the US. A lead replacement petrol was available for older cars that were not fitted with catalytic converters.