What Is An Electrical Certificate Of Compliance?
An electrical certificate of compliance is a legal document issued by a qualified and registered electrician confirming that a property’s electrical installation meets the requirements of SANS 10142-1:2020, as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993).
Put simply, if your property has an electrical installation, you need one. And if you’re selling or transferring a property, it has to be in place before the transfer can go through.
What Is A Qualified And Registered Person?
Not every electrician can issue a certificate of compliance. The person doing the inspection needs to be both qualified and registered, and those are two different things.
A registered person holds one of three designations: Master Installation Electrician, Installation Electrician, or Electrical Tester for Single Phase. Being qualified means they are authorised to issue a certificate for the specific type of installation they are inspecting.
For example, a Master Electrician can certify any electrical installation, including specialised ones, provided they can demonstrate competency. An Installation Electrician is limited to single and three-phase installations like homes, flats, and townhouses, and cannot certify specialised installations.
The 3 Types Of Electrician Qualifications
1. Master Installation Electrician (MIE)
The highest qualification. A Master Electrician can inspect and certify any electrical installation, including specialised ones.
2. Installation Electrician (IE)
Can inspect and certify single and three-phase electrical installations such as residential homes, but not specialised electrical installations.
3. Electrical Tester for Single Phase (ETSP)
Limited to single-phase electrical installations only.
How Do I Know Which Qualification The Electrician Has?
The Department of Employment and Labour issues two documents to registered electricians: a Registered Contractor Licence and a Registered Person Licence. The Contractor Licence confirms they are a registered electrical contractor and specifies which types of installations they can certify.
If the electrician is a member of the Electrical Conformance Board of South Africa (ECB), their ECB ID Card covers both documents in one.
Can I Check Their Qualifications Online?
If they are ECB-registered, you can verify their qualifications for free at electrician.org.za, but only if they have opted to be listed on the portal. If they are not ECB-registered, you will need to contact the Department of Employment and Labour directly as there is currently no online verification available through the Department.
Annual Renewals
The Registered Contractor Licence needs to be renewed every year. The Registered Person Licence does not expire but can be revoked by the Department of Employment and Labour. ECB membership, if applicable, also needs annual renewal.
Who Needs An Electrical Certificate Of Compliance?
The short answer is: anyone who owns, rents out, or sells a property with an electrical installation.
Landlords are legally required to have a valid certificate before renting out a property. If you are selling, you need one before the transfer can proceed. If your existing certificate is older than two years, or if any electrical work has been done since it was issued, you will need a new one.
How Long Is The Certificate Valid For?
There is no expiry date on an electrical certificate of compliance. It remains valid for as long as the electrical installation stays unchanged.
However, if you are selling your property, the certificate cannot be older than two years at the time of transfer. And if any additions or alterations have been made to the electrical installation, a supplementary certificate will need to be issued alongside the original.
What Does The Certificate Cover?
The certificate covers everything from the distribution board to the outlets, including wiring, earthing, bonding, and isolators. It does not cover appliances.
A practical way to think about it: your stove elements and geyser element are not covered, but the isolator switch for your stove and the wiring to your geyser are.
How Do I Get The Certificate?
If you are selling your property, getting the certificate is your responsibility as the seller. Your Transfer Attorney or Estate Agent can usually point you in the right direction.
The first step is finding a suitably qualified electrician for your type of property and installation. They will carry out the inspection, and if everything is in order, issue the certificate once the inspection fee is paid. If faults are found, they will provide a quote for the repair work, and the certificate will only be issued once those repairs are done.
One thing worth knowing: the inspection fee is payable regardless of whether your installation passes or fails. And if you choose a different electrician to carry out the repairs, the original inspection fee still stands.
Once you have your certificate, you can register it online with the ECB at ecb.org.za. Your Transfer Attorney will usually ask for the original.
What Does The Certificate Look Like?
The original electrical certificate of compliance is a yellow, double-sided document. It includes:
1. Certificate type (initial or supplementary)
2. Pre-printed registration number
3. Property address and identification details
4. Declaration by the registered person
5. Declaration by the electrical contractor
6. Full details of the electrical installation (on the back)
How Much Does It Cost?
The inspection fee typically ranges from R1,000 to R3,000, depending on the size, type, and phase of the electrical installation. Any repair work needed to bring the installation up to standard is quoted and charged separately.
Is An Electric Fence Included In The Certificate?
No. If your property has an electric fence, it needs its own separate certificate, called an Electric Fence Certificate (EFC). This can only be issued by a registered Electric Fence System Installer (EFSI), and is a separate process from the electrical COC.
One exception: if you are selling a sectional title property, the electric fence falls under the body corporate’s responsibility, so you won’t need to arrange an EFC yourself.
Can Any Electrician Issue An EFC?
Only if they are also registered as an Electric Fence System Installer (EFSI) with the Department of Employment and Labour. It is a separate registration from their electrical qualification.
H3: How Long Is The EFC Valid For?
Like the electrical COC, the EFC has no expiry date and remains valid as long as no major changes have been made to the fence. If the energiser is replaced, a new EFC will be required.
How Much Does An EFC Cost?
EFC pricing starts from R1,000 for properties up to 500sqm and depends on the size of the property and the length of fencing installed. The fee covers the inspection and all required tests. Repair work and energiser replacement are charged separately.
What Does The EFC Look Like?
The original electric fence certificate is a green, double-sided document. It includes:
1. Certificate type (initial or supplementary)
2. Pre-printed registration number
3. Property address and identification details
4. Declaration by the registered Electric Fence System Installer
5. Declaration by the user or lessor
6. Electric fence installation checklist (back page)
7. Client details (back page)
Need A COC In The West Rand?
If you are based in the West Rand or the northern suburbs of Johannesburg and need an Electrical Certificate of Compliance or an Electric Fence Certificate, I can help. I’m Chris, a registered Master Electrician and Electric Fence System Installer (EFSI) with over 38 years’ experience, and I cover Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, Weltevredenpark, Wilgeheuwel, Allen’s Nek, Honeydew, Northriding, Randburg, and surrounding areas.
Get in touch to arrange your inspection.
Helpful Resources
– The South African Department of Employment and Labour (labour.gov.za)
– Electrical Contractors Association SA (ecasa.co.za)
– Electrical Conformance Board of South Africa (ecb.org.za)
– South African Bureau of Standards (sabs.co.za)