Sourcing B-BBEE certificates are important for your B-BBEE score as it is taken into account when your Preferential Procurement score is calculated by a B-BBEE verification agency.
When sourcing these documents, it is important to make sure that you receive a valid B-BBEE certificate from your suppliers. If the certificate is not valid, the verification agency will not take that certificate into account when your Preferential Procurement score is being calculated.
Here is a list of things that you can look out for to ensure that the certificates that you receive are indeed valid:
- All B-BBEE certificates need to be verified by a verification agency who is SANAS accredited. The SANAS logo needs to appear on the certificate as they are the only authorised and accredited B-BBEE verification agency. The SANAS logo does not have to appear on EME Affidavits.
- The verification agency’s name should appear at the top of the certificate.
- The measured entity’s name and address should appear on the certificate.
- The unique certificate number should appear on the certificate.
- The verification standard, that refers to the sector code being applied, should appear on the certificate.
- The scorecard being applied, which refers to the size of the company (Exempt Micro Enterprise, Qualified Small Enterprise or Generis Enterprise) and the sector, should appear.
- The size of the enterprise, which refers to the company’s turnover, should also appear on the certificate.
- The financial period being verified should also appear on the certificate.
- The total points, as well as the points allocated to each B-BBEE element, should appear on the certificate.
- The B-BBEE status level achieved and procurement recognition level should also appear on the certificate.
- A Technical signature and the verification agency’s accreditation number should appear on the certificate. The accreditation number can be verified on SANAS’s website to ensure that it is an accredited verification agency.
- The date that the certificate is issued and the expiry date should appear on the certificate.
If the B-BBEE certificate in front of you complies with all of the above, the chances are good that the certificate will be valid and contribute towards your preferential procurement points.
Also, remember that the certificate had to be valid in the financial year you are being rated on or in the alternative on date of verification.
Kindly contact your SEESE B-BBEE legal advisor for more information or assistance with the above.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jolizna Carstens is an admitted attorney who completed her BAccLLB degrees at the University of Stellenbosch. Jolizna is currently a B-BBEE legal advisor at our Cape Town branch.