About Certificates of Compliance

Two people signing South African property transfer paperwork at a desk, with house keys and a rolled set of property documents nearby — A valid electrical Certificate of Compliance is a legal requirement for almost every South African property transfer.

In South Africa, an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is a crucial legal document. It verifies that the electrical installation on a property complies with the prescribed statutory safety standards.

Why do you need one?

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (No. 85 of 1993) requires every property owner to have a valid electrical CoC. You typically need one when:

Selling a property (required before transfer can happen).
Making significant alterations or additions to an existing electrical installation.
Applying for or renewing certain insurance policies.

What does it cover?

Residential South African electrical distribution board with labelled circuit breakers next to a clipboard holding a Certificate of Compliance form — A CoC must accurately reflect every circuit on your distribution board.

A CoC covers the electrical installation from the point of supply (where the municipality or Eskom connects to the property) to the point of consumption (socket outlets, light switches, and terminals). It does not cover appliances plugged into the system (like fridges or TVs).

Who can issue a CoC?

Only a Registered Person (a qualified electrician registered with the Department of Employment and Labour) can issue a valid CoC. They must also be employed by or operate as a registered Electrical Contractor.

Why verify your CoC?

Unfortunately, fraudulent, incomplete, or hastily completed CoCs are not uncommon. A flawed CoC might leave you legally liable or cause your insurance claims to be rejected in the event of an electrical fire. Verifying your CoC helps you catch administrative and logical errors before they become costly problems.