DTI minister makes grave mistake

The gazette stated that SANAS may only accredit entities that have "completed training on B-BBEE Verification Services and Certification offered by Higher Education Institution as prescribed by the DTI". It also stated that IRBA may only approve auditors that "have completed the Standardised B-BBEE Management Development Programme and Certification offered by Higher Education Institutions as prescribed by the DTI".

Delaying accreditation or approval

This is aimed at ensuring consistency and improved quality of verification, but will have the effect of delaying any additional accreditation or approval for possibly a year. Previously, SANAS was accrediting between three and six agencies per month. Now, they cannot do so until those agencies have completed the relevant short course offered by Wits, UNISA or other higher education institution. Applications for the first course only opened on 1 September, 2011. According to UNISA, the first course starts this Friday and will last one year. This means that, despite there being an additional body able to approve verification agencies, the number of agencies in the next year is not likely to increase. With the imminent implementation of the PPPFA, due to take place on 7 December, 2011, the current batch of verification agencies is not likely to be able to handle the pressure of work.

A grave mistake

We consider this a grave mistake by the Minister. The intention was to expand the verification industry by allowing more companies to offer verification services, but is likely to freeze accreditation of new agencies for possibly one year. We do support the concept of IRBA approving additional verification entities. We also support the introduction of education requirements for verification analysts. However, there should have been a transitional, or phase-in, period so as not to hinder the process of accreditation.

At the same time we note that prospective verification agencies may no longer use a pre-assessment letter issued by SANAS. They previously could use their pre-assessment letter to perform verification without full accreditation. From 1 October, 2011, those agencies with SANAS accreditation will only be allowed to issue valid certificates.