Almost everything written about the electrical Certificate of Compliance in South Africa contains the same error, and it is an error that costs people money: that a CoC expires after two years and must be renewed. It does not, and the industry body says so in as many words.
This guide covers what a CoC actually is, who may lawfully issue one, what the two-year rule really says, and what your obligation is if you own, use or let a property.
It does not expire after two years
The two years applies to transfer of ownership only. A CoC is valid for the life of the installation unless the installation is altered.
Only a registered person may issue one
After a physical inspection and test, on a certificate carrying a unique number obtained from the chief inspector.
The duty is on the user or lessor
Not only on the seller. If you occupy or let a property, you must hold a valid CoC and produce it on request.
Buying a CoC without an inspection is not a shortcut
A registered contractor may not issue a certificate on behalf of an unregistered person. That is a criminal matter, and it voids the protection you paid for.
What the CoC actually is
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009 require that a fixed electrical installation complies with the wiring code, SANS 10142. The division of labour is worth understanding: the Act sets out what must be achieved, and SANS 10142 sets out how, with the minimum requirements.
A Certificate of Compliance is a registered person's written statement that they inspected and tested the fixed installation and found it compliant on that date. It is a statement about the wiring in the building, not about your appliances, and not a guarantee that nothing will ever fail.
The two-year rule, stated correctly
Regulation 7(5) says a user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership where the certificate of compliance is older than two years. That is the entire scope of the two years. It is a condition on transferring property.
The Electrical Contractors' Association of South Africa states that a CoC is valid for the lifetime of the installation unless alterations have been done, in which case a supplementary CoC must be issued for the altered work.
It also warns, in its own words, that some electrical contractors imply a CoC has a two-year validity period and suggest owners should renew bi-annually, and that this is not true.
Selling or transferringRequired
You need a CoC that is not older than two years. If yours is older, you need a new inspection.
Altering the installationRequired
New circuits, a DB board change, a solar or inverter installation - the new work needs a supplementary CoC.
Nothing has changed and you are not sellingOptional
Your existing certificate remains valid. There is no two-year renewal obligation.
Who may issue one
This is where most of the real risk sits, because the cheap certificate is usually the invalid one.
A registered person, not just any electrician
Electrical contractors register annually with the chief inspector, and the registration names the registered persons employed permanently. A registered person must exercise general control over the installation work.
After an actual inspection and test
The certificate follows physical inspection and testing of the installation. A certificate issued without one is worthless to you and unlawful for them.
On a certificate with a unique number
Certificates carry a unique number obtained from the chief inspector. That number is what makes the document traceable.
Never on behalf of somebody unregistered
The Department of Employment and Labour stated in October 2025 that under no circumstances may a registered contractor issue a CoC on behalf of an unregistered individual. It is treated as a criminal matter and can cost the contractor their registration.
If you let property, this is your obligation too
Regulations 7(1) and 7(2) place the duty on every user or lessor of an electrical installation: be in possession of a valid certificate of compliance, and produce it on request to an inspector, the supplier, or an approved inspection authority.
Landlords routinely assume the obligation ended when they bought the building. It did not. And the Department has been explicit that owners remain accountable for defects discovered later, which is the part that matters after an incident.
Hold the certificate, not just a memory of oneRequired
Keep the original where you can produce it. A certificate you cannot find is, in practice, a certificate you do not have.
Get a supplementary CoC for every alterationRequired
Including work done by a tenant. Alterations you did not authorise are still alterations to your installation.
If you are the electrical business, not the customer
The same regulations decide whether you can trade at all. Registration with the chief inspector is annual, a registered person must exercise general control over the work, and issuing certificates for work you did not control is the fastest way to lose the registration the business depends on.
Check your registrations and pricingSolar and SSEG registrationCommon questions
Does my Certificate of Compliance expire after two years?
No. The two-year period in regulation 7(5) applies to a change of ownership: you may not transfer a property on a certificate older than two years. Outside a sale, a CoC is valid for the lifetime of the installation unless the installation is altered, in which case the altered work needs a supplementary certificate. The ECA(SA) specifically warns against contractors who suggest bi-annual renewal.
Who is allowed to issue a CoC?
A registered person, after physically inspecting and testing the installation, on a certificate carrying a unique number obtained from the chief inspector. Electrical contractors register annually with the chief inspector, and a registered person must exercise general control over the installation work.
I am renting out a flat. Do I need a CoC?
Regulations 7(1) and 7(2) place the duty on every user or lessor to be in possession of a valid certificate and to produce it on request to an inspector, the supplier or an approved inspection authority. Letting a property does not move that obligation to the tenant.
I had solar installed. Do I need a new CoC for the whole house?
You need a supplementary certificate of compliance covering the new work. Adding generation to your installation is an alteration to it. A solar or inverter installation also raises a separate question about registering the system with your distributor, which is covered in the SSEG guide.
Someone offered me a CoC without visiting the property. Is that fine?
No. The certificate follows an inspection and test, and a registered contractor may not issue one on behalf of an unregistered individual - the Department of Employment and Labour said so directly in October 2025. A certificate issued without inspection gives you no protection and exposes the issuer to losing their registration.
Where to check
Department of Employment and LabourElectrical Contractors' Association of South AfricaFree check - about 3 minutes
Are your certificates and registrations actually in order?
For electricians and solar installers, and for the businesses and landlords who hire them: check the registrations that decide whether work may lawfully be signed off, whether the solar on site is registered, and whether your rates cover a call-out.
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