a)      only BEE verification certificates issued by Accredited Verification Agencies or Verification Agencies that are in possession of a valid pre-assessment letter  from South African National Accreditation Systems will be valid;

 

b)      despite the provision in paragraph (a) above, all verification certificates issued by non-accredited verification agencies prior to the date of this publication, will remain valid for 12 months from the date of issue;

 

c)      the period of validity of the certificates contemplated in paragraph (a) above, will be 12 months from the date of issue; and

 

d)      this Notice is effective from the date of this publication.

 

The first batch of accredited BEE Verification Agencies was announced by the dti on the 9^th of February 2009. Accreditation is critical to the effective transformation of the business sector as it establishes credibility based on approved best practices and methodologies.  It also establishes a measurement of excellence and due diligence that agencies have to meet in order to become accredited.

 

Business can be assured that the accreditation process is also there to ensure competence, credibility and consistency in the verification industry. It is important to note all legal entities performing verification are required to undergo accreditation.

 

"This is an important milestone in the implementation of BEE in the economy. This means any person wanting to conduct Verification needs to apply for  permission from SANAS therefore making Accreditation mandatory.," explains Andile Tlhoaele, the ABVA Chairman. "We urge SANAS to continue accrediting more VA's to ensure that there's sufficient capacity in the market."

 

Clarifying more on verification, Andile also says, "prior to the gazetting of the Verification Manual on 18 July 2008, the term "verification agency" referred to all businesses which conducted BEE verifications, who were independent from the entity it verified.  All certificates issued by such businesses should therefore be acceptable proof of the B-BBEE status of the measured entity in question when considering its B-BBEE recognition level for purposes of calculating preferential procurement.  As such it shall remain acceptable proof for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of issue thereof."

" Also between 18 July 2008 and 31 July 2009 only businesses which have applied to SANAS for accreditation, irrespective of whether or not pre-assessment have been passed or not, will qualify as a "verification agency".  A certificate that was issued after 18 July 2008 by a business which has not applied for accreditation to SANAS by the time of issue of the certificate should therefore not be acceptable as proof of the B-BBEE recognition level of the entity so rated," further explains Andile.

 

 

For a list of ABVA's accredited and members in pre-assessment, as well as for more information about ABVA's role in the verification, please visit the ABVA website: www.abva.co.za