The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has launched its Opt-Out Registry, introducing an important new compliance requirement for organisations involved in direct marketing. The registry allows consumers to register a pre-emptive block against unwanted direct marketing communications, while providing direct marketers with a mechanism to register and meet their obligations before contacting consumers.
The CPA Amendment Regulations came into effect on 15 April 2026, bringing additional requirements for direct marketers. The NCC has encouraged direct marketers to register as soon as possible and has indicated that registration and the necessary database-cleansing processes must be completed before direct marketing activities are undertaken. This means organisations should review their current direct marketing processes and ensure that their contact databases are appropriately screened against the NCC Opt-Out Registry.
Importantly, the NCC Opt-Out Registry does not replace existing POPIA obligations. Instead, it introduces an additional compliance step that should be incorporated into an organisation’s existing data protection and direct marketing processes. Businesses should therefore consider how the new requirements fit into their current POPIA compliance framework, including how they obtain, maintain and use consumer contact information for direct marketing purposes.
Consumers and direct marketers can access the NCC registration platform through the NCC eService Portal. For a more detailed explanation of the new requirements and what they mean for organisations, read POPIA Portal – Issue No. 69: “NEW CPA OPT-OUT REGISTRY: What Direct Marketers Must Now Add to Their POPIA Process.”