How to Get a B-BBEE Certificate: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Determine Your Enterprise Category

Your compliance route depends on your annual turnover:

• Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME): annual turnover R10 million or less — use sworn affidavit (no verification required)
• Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE): annual turnover between R10 million and R50 million — use sworn affidavit only if 100% black-owned; otherwise requires SANAS-accredited verification agency
• Generic Enterprise: annual turnover above R50 million — full verification by SANAS-accredited verification agency mandatory

Step 2A: EME Route — Sworn Affidavit

If your entity qualifies as an EME, you do not need to undergo formal verification. You must complete a sworn affidavit confirming your annual turnover and the percentage of black ownership. The affidavit must be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths (e.g., at a bank, law firm, or SAPS station), an SAPS member, or a Notary Public.

The affidavit must state the entity's name and registration number, the financial year end, the annual turnover for the most recent financial year, the percentage of black ownership (and whether this meets the 51% or 30% black women thresholds for automatic Level 1 or Level 2), and the declarant's identity number and capacity.

Once signed, the affidavit serves as your B-BBEE certificate and is valid for one financial year. It must be updated when you prepare your next set of annual financial statements.

Step 2B: QSE and Generic Route — Accredited Verification

For QSEs requiring verification and all Generic Enterprises, you must engage a SANAS-accredited B-BBEE verification agency. SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) publishes the full list of accredited agencies at sanas.co.za. Never use an agency that is not SANAS-accredited — their certificates will not be accepted.

The verification process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from submission of complete documents. Engage your verification agency at least two to three months before your certificate is due to expire to avoid a compliance gap.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

For verification, prepare the following documentation:

• Most recent audited or independently reviewed annual financial statements
• Share register and shareholder agreements (for Ownership element)
• ID documents or trust deeds for all shareholders (to confirm black status)
• Payroll records and proof of skills development spend
• Training records, learnership agreements, and SETA documentation
• Supplier invoices and confirmations of B-BBEE status of key suppliers
• Enterprise and Supplier Development contribution agreements and receipts
• SED contribution receipts and NPO registration certificates
• Management structure and employment equity reports
• Company registration documents (CoCR14 from CIPC)

Step 4: The Verification Process

Once you submit your documents, the verification agency will review them, may request clarifications, and will calculate your scorecard. They will issue a draft scorecard for your review before issuing the final certificate. You have an opportunity to query calculations or provide additional supporting documents at the draft stage.

After acceptance of the draft, the agency issues a B-BBEE Status Certificate and the accompanying scorecard. The certificate will show your entity's name, registration number, measurement period, B-BBEE level, recognition percentage, and the accreditation details of the verification agency.

Step 5: Maintaining Compliance

Your B-BBEE certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Set a calendar reminder to initiate the next verification at least 10 weeks before expiry. During the year, track your ESD spend, skills development expenditure, and ownership metrics so there are no surprises at verification time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• B-BBEE Verification Agencies
• B-BBEE Affidavit Guide
• EME Guide
• Certificate Validity