A CoC certificate usually means the electrical certificate of compliance (CoC) for electricity installations: the document a registered electrician issues, with a test report, to confirm that the fixed electrical installation on a property meets the wiring standard. Under regulation 7 of the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, every user or lessor of an electrical installation must have a valid one, whether the premises are a home, shop, office, factory or farm.
The main CoC certificate requirements are: the certificate must be issued by a person registered with the Department of Employment and Labour, only after an inspection and test; it must come with a test report; a new or supplementary certificate is needed whenever the installation is added to or altered; and the owner may not allow a change of ownership on a certificate older than two years.
Business Requirements at a Glance
- Who must have one: the user or lessor of the electrical installation. A tenant is responsible only if a written undertaking in the lease transfers responsibility to them.
- Who may issue it: only a registered person – an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician, each within the limits of their registration.
- What it must include: the certificate in the prescribed form (Annexure 1 to the regulations) plus a test report in the format approved by the chief inspector.
- When you need a new one: before a new installation is connected to the supply, after any addition or alteration, when an inspector or your electricity supplier finds a defect and requires one, and on a sale if the current certificate is older than two years.
- Standard it certifies against: SANS 10142-1, the code of practice for the wiring of premises, which is incorporated into the regulations.
- Penalty: breaching regulation 7 is an offence, punishable by a fine or up to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Registration and Legal Requirements
The electrical certificate of compliance comes from the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, through the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009 (Government Notice R.242, in force since 1 May 2009). The Department of Employment and Labour enforces them.
Regulation 9 says no one other than a registered person may issue a certificate of compliance. The registered person’s category decides what they may certify:
- Electrical tester for single phase: installations supplied by a single-phase supply at the point of control, excluding specialised installations.
- Installation electrician: any electrical installation, excluding specialised installations.
- Master installation electrician: any electrical installation, including specialised installations in explosive atmospheres, the petroleum industry, hazardous locations and medical locations.
A business that does electrical installation work for other people must also register as an electrical contractor, every year, with the chief inspector. To qualify, it needs a fixed address and telephone, and it must employ a registered person full time or be one. A registered person must show their certificate of registration, on request, to anyone they intend to issue a CoC to, so ask to see it before work starts.
Older installations have one exemption. If the installation existed before 23 October 1992 and the property has not changed hands since 1 March 1994, regulation 7(1) does not apply. The first addition or alteration ends that exemption, and you then need a certificate for the whole installation.
Documents and Ownership Information Required
A valid CoC in the Annexure 1 format records:
- Whether it is an initial or a supplementary certificate, and for a supplement, the initial certificate’s number and issue date
- The installation’s physical address, name of building, suburb, town, erf number and, where relevant, GPS coordinates or pole number
- The registered person’s name, registration number and signature
- The accompanying test report, carrying the certificate’s number
The certificate is not valid unless every section is completed and the test report is attached, and it is invalid if anyone makes corrections to it. No one may amend a certificate of compliance, so an error means a new certificate.
Keep the certificate and test report with your property or lease records. Regulation 7(2) says you must produce them on request to an inspector, to your electricity supplier or to an approved inspection authority. Your conveyancer will also need them when you sell. If you lease commercial premises and the lease makes you responsible for the installation, keep the signed undertaking with the certificate.
Tax, Licence and Compliance Requirements
The electrical CoC is not a tax or trading licence, but it is a legal compliance requirement for any business that owns, leases or occupies premises with an electrical installation. It also sits alongside other certificates that are often confused with it:
- Electric fence system certificate of compliance: a separate certificate under the Electrical Machinery Regulations, 2011, issued by a registered electric fence system installer. An electrician’s CoC does not cover an electric fence.
- Gas certificate of conformity: under the Pressure Equipment Regulations, an authorised person, such as a SAQCC Gas registered gas practitioner, issues it after a gas installation is completed, modified or altered, and on a change of user or ownership.
- Plumbing certificate of compliance: a municipal requirement in some areas. The City of Cape Town, for example, requires the seller to submit a water installation certificate from a City-registered plumber before transfer. Check your own municipality’s by-laws.
Solar and backup power count as additions to the electrical installation, so the work needs a CoC for at least the addition. If the work needs a new supply or more supply capacity, the supplier must be notified before it starts. If the system connects to the grid, check your supplier’s requirements as well; see Eskom solar registration requirements.
Process, Deadlines and Ongoing Obligations
- Appoint a registered electrical contractor and check the registered person’s certificate of registration and category.
- The registered person inspects and tests the installation against SANS 10142-1.
- If they find a fault, they must refuse to issue the certificate until it is fixed. If the fault is an immediate danger, they must disconnect the affected circuit and notify the chief inspector.
- Once the installation passes, they issue the certificate with the test report.
The regulations do not give a CoC a general expiry date. What matters is when the certificate was issued and whether anything has changed since:
- On a sale: regulation 7(5) says the user or lessor may not allow a change of ownership if the certificate is older than two years. The rule is expressly subject to section 10(4) of the OHS Act, so ask your conveyancer how it applies to your transaction.
- After alterations: any addition or alteration needs a certificate covering at least that work.
- On connection: no new or partly completed installation may be connected to the supply without a CoC. This does not apply to reconnection after non-payment, or to a change of tenant without a change of owner.
In its October 2025 statement, the Department of Employment and Labour said a valid CoC must be obtained before the sale or transfer of any property. It also said the seller will be held accountable for fixing defects discovered after transfer. It is a criminal offence for a registered contractor to issue a CoC on behalf of an unregistered person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CoC certificate?
In South Africa, CoC most often means the electrical certificate of compliance required by the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009. It certifies, after an inspection and test by a registered person, that an electrical installation complies with the safety standard. The abbreviation is also used loosely for gas, electric fence and plumbing certificates, which are separate documents issued by different registered people.
How long is an electrical CoC valid?
There is no fixed expiry for everyday use. For a change of ownership the certificate may not be older than two years, and any addition or alteration needs a new certificate for at least that work. An inspector or your supplier can also require a new one if they find a defect.
Who can issue a certificate of compliance?
Only a person registered under the Electrical Installation Regulations: an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician, each within their category. Ask to see their certificate of registration.
Does a business renting premises need a CoC?
The duty sits with the user or lessor, so a landlord leasing out premises must have one. A tenant becomes responsible only if the lease includes a written undertaking transferring responsibility for the installation.
Do I need a new CoC after installing solar or a generator?
Yes. It is an addition to the electrical installation, so you need a certificate covering at least the new work, issued by a registered person.
Does an electrical CoC cover gas or an electric fence?
No. An electric fence needs its own electric fence system certificate, and a gas installation needs a certificate of conformity from an authorised gas practitioner.
What if my house was wired before 1992?
The installation is exempt only if it existed before 23 October 1992 and the property has not changed ownership since 1 March 1994. A sale or any alteration means you need a certificate for the whole installation.
Rules for the electrical certificate of compliance are set by the Department of Employment and Labour. Confirm current requirements with the department, your conveyancer and your municipality before a sale, lease or alteration. See company registration requirements and browse all business and compliance requirements.