The key role players involved in the process of issuing Electrical Certificates of Compliance and those role players that are approved to verify and inspect electrical installations whose validity is questioned.
- The Electrician who issues the Electrical Certificate of Compliance in respect of the property:
Before employing an electrician to issue a Certificate of Compliance in respect of your property you must first verify your electrical contractor’s legal standing by requesting their Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL) registration letter or by contacting the department directly to ensure they are on the national database. The Department of Employment and Labour is the legal authority that registers electrical contractors and issues registration letters under the Electrical Installation Regulations. Only electricians registered with the Department of Employment and Labour can legally issue a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance.
Note that the requirement for an Electrical Compliance Certificate should not be removed from the agreement even if the parties are in agreement in this regard, as the obligation to be in possession of an Electrical Compliance Certificate is legislatively imposed. If the seller and purchaser are in agreement that the purchaser will post renovations attend to the Electrical Compliance Certificate, then amend the contractual agreement to reflect that the responsibility will be the purchaser’s responsibility.
The seller is generally contractually obligated to ensure that an Electrical Certificate of Compliance is issued and be responsible for the costs thereof.
In South Africa, electricians must renew their electrical contractor registration annually with the Department of Employment and Labour. The underlying qualification (e.g., a wireman’s license) is generally for life unless revoked, but the annual registration as a contractor is mandatory to legally perform electrical installation work. - Approved Inspection Authorities:
Approved Inspection Authorities (AIAs) for electrical compliance in South Africa are SANAS-accredited, Department of Employment and Labour-approved bodies that verify electrical installations, audit Certificates of Compliance (CoC), and investigate disputes.
Key Authorised Inspection Authorities (AISs) include Bravo Scan and EAIBSA (Electrical Accredited Inspection Body of Southern Africa) and CEAIB which specialize in inspecting and certifying electrical work under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
2.1 Key Aspects of AIAs for Electrical Compliance:
2.1.1 Role: They are appointed to investigate, audit, and verify if electrical installations adhere to safety regulations, particularly when a Certificate of Compliance is questioned.
2.1.2 Verification: AIAs are empowered to uncover illegal, unsafe, or shoddy electrical work.
2.1.3 Dispute Resolution: They act as an independent authority to assess if an installation is
compliant or non-compliant, which is crucial for property transfers.
2.1.4 Independence: An AIA cannot operate as an electrical contractor, ensuring unbiased inspections.
2.2 Specific AIAs and Resources:
2.2.1 Bravo Scan: Specialises in electrical compliance inspections, training, and risk management.
2.2.2 EAIBSA: A prominent SANAS-accredited inspection body (ISO 17020) for electrical installations.
2.2.3 CEAIB (Cape Electrical Accredited Inspection Body): Operates nationally, with a strong presence in Gauteng, formed from previous authorities like GEIA, handling inspections and Certificate of Compliance verification.
2.2.4 Safehouse: A non-profit organization that helps identify safe, compliant electrical products and services.
2.2.5 Electrical Conformance Board (ECB): Provides guidance on Certificates of Compliance.
2.2.6 Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL): The governing body that regulates and
approves the inspection authorities through the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Therefore, only bodies designated as Approved Inspection Authorities (AIAs) are independent bodies approved by the Department of Employment and Labour’s Chief Inspector to conduct inspections, tests, and investigations to verify the validity of issued Electrical Certificates of Compliance.
Never permit anyone other than an Authorised Inspection Authority approved body from inspecting an electrical installation if the validity of the Electrical Installation is disputed, as you run the risk of the unaccredited party invalidating the existing installation or certificate. Act swifty in appointing an
Approved Inspection Authority who is the only party that can act in an independent assessment and report back on their findings.
The Employment and Labour Department’s Authorised Inspection Authority can be contacted on 011 957 5007 or 084 548 4994 as at time of this publication.