LETTER FROM A CEO - SEPTEMBER 2025

I recently received a call from a new client whose biggest customer of 24 years is now demanding a valid B-BBEE certificate issued by a SANAS-accredited verification agency. The customer has clearly stated that failure to provide a compliant certificate with a valid score will result in suspension of their account. This client contributes about 78% of their turnover!!!

This client’s current certificate is based on last year’s financial figures, but unfortunately, no proactive B-BBEE efforts have been made. Their management team is non-BEE compliant, with zero skills development spend, no supplier development or enterprise development initiatives,  no preferential procurement and no Socio-economic development donations have taken place.

At this stage, there is little that can be done immediately except to begin solid planning toward the financial year ending February 2026. B-BBEE compliance is not going away and is an ongoing business imperative. Companies that delay will risk similar demands, facing delisting’s or suspension by key customers.

The key consideration:

• A valid B-BBEE certificate must be issued by a SANAS-accredited agency and is valid for only 12 months.

• Certificates based on outdated or incomplete data, or with non-compliant status, will not prevent account suspension.

• Start preparing early towards scoring well in the next financial year through skills development, supplier/enterprise development, procurement, and social donations.

• B-BBEE compliance is central to maintaining competitive business relationships in South Africa.

If your business is not yet compliant, the time to act is now. Don’t wait until your key customers issue ultimatums. Plan, act, and secure your place in the market through a clear B-BBEE strategy.

This newsletter content is designed to inform and motivate clients about the urgency and importance of SANAS-accredited B-BBEE certification compliance and proper planning.

We look forward to engaging with you and your company to prevent this happening to you!

Lost and want to cut through the clutter?

CHiP (Compliance Hub Intellectual Partner) is an AI-powered chatbot developed by Compliance Hub Consulting, a South African company based in Pretoria. CHiP provides businesses with instant answers to compliance queries related to B-BBEE, HR, and OHS, aiming to make compliance more efficient and streamlined. Try it for free today!