South Africa’s opt-out registry launches with consumer access planned for May 2027

South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) launched the National Opt-Out Registry on October 7, 2026. The NCC describes it as a free, government-administered way for consumers to block unwanted direct marketing. The launch does not mean consumers can already sign up: consumer registration is expected to begin in May 2027.

A phased rollout

Under the timetable in the launch announcement, marketer registration runs from September 15 through December 2026. A list-cleansing phase is scheduled from December 2026 through April 2027, ahead of the expected opening of consumer registration and pre-emptive blocking in May 2027.

The NCC says direct marketers must register and cleanse their marketing lists monthly before campaigns. For businesses that use direct marketing, that makes registry checks a recurring part of campaign preparation rather than a one-off registration step.

How consumers will use it

An earlier NCC statement says the registry is designed to let consumers block either an individual marketer or the industry. The October rollout timetable places consumer access after the marketer registration and list-cleansing phases.

The distinction between the registry’s launch and the planned start of consumer registration matters for anyone seeking to stop marketing messages now. The NCC’s October announcement sets out the rollout, but describes consumer registration as a future step.