As at 1 September 2006 Chapter 4, Part B of the National Credit Act 2006 which concerns \"Confidentiality, personal information and consumer credit records\" comes into effect. In addition, under Chapter 2, Part B the National Consumer Tribunal comes into effect on the same date and this tribunal will have the power to investigate disputes and make orders compelling creditors and credit bureaus to comply with the provisions of the NCA.

Regulation of credit bureaus
As at 1 September 2006, credit bureaus will, for the first time, have to comply with regulations, made under the NCA, which set out exactly when consumer credit information may be added to and deleted from credit records.

Temporary removal of challenged credit data
All challenged information must be removed for twenty days while the credit bureau investigates to see whether the credit data is incorrect. No credit record will be issued by the credit bureau while such an investigation is taking place.

Reduction of default listing period
Subjective credit information, such as \"handed over\", \"absconded\", \"written off\" will no longer be listed for three years. This Adverse Information may only be listed for a maximum period of one year.

Administration orders
Previously when an administration order was set aside a \"rehabilitation notice\" was added to the credit profile for five years. As at 1 September 2006 once an adminstration order has been set aside, all reference to it must be removed and the regulations do not allow for a \"rehabilitation notice\" to be added.

Listing commencement date
Creditors used to be able to list a consumer many months or even years after the date the account went into arrears. From 1 September 2006 the listing date will be the date the consumer defaulted on paying their account and not an arbitrary date chosen by the creditor.

Notification of addition of adverse information
A credit bureau must notify a consumer before adverse information may be added to their credit profile and a copy of such information must be made available to the affected consumer.

Annual Free Credit Report
As from 1 September 2006 consumers are entitled to get a copy of their credit record, held on each credit bureau, once a year at no charge. The National Credit Regulator will most probably phase this requirement in (based on dates of birth or surname) so as not to swamp credit bureaus with millions of applications.

These are not the only changes which the National Credit Act will bring about. The law deals with many other abuses and will benefit all consumers.
This information is written user friendly and make a lot more sense.