Practical Guide
How to Find an SABS-Accredited Inspection Body for PVoC
SABS-accredited inspection bodies are the organisations that inspect goods and issue PVoC Certificates of Conformity for South African imports. The four major accredited bodies are Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, and TÜV Rheinland. This article explains how to find and engage the right inspection body for your specific product category and origin country.
The Four Major Inspection Bodies
Who Can Issue a Valid PVoC CoC
Bureau Veritas (BV): A French multinational testing, inspection, and certification company. Website: bureauveritas.com. For South Africa PVoC enquiries, contact the Bureau Veritas South Africa office or the country-specific office in your supplier's country. Bureau Veritas is accredited under multiple African PVoC programmes.
Intertek: A British multinational testing, inspection, and certification company. Website: intertek.com. Contact the Intertek South Africa office or the country-specific office in your supplier's country.
SGS: A Swiss multinational inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. Website: sgs.com. Contact the SGS South Africa office or the country-specific office in your supplier's country.
TÜV Rheinland: A German technical inspection and certification company. Website: tuv.com. Contact the TÜV Rheinland South Africa office or the country-specific office in your supplier's country. Particularly strong in electrical and electronic equipment certification.
How to Select the Right Body
Criteria for Choosing an Inspection Body
When selecting an inspection body, consider four factors: (1) SABS accreditation — verify that the body is currently accredited by SABS for your specific product category. The SABS publishes the current list of accredited bodies on its website (sabs.co.za). (2) Presence in the origin country — the inspection body must be able to inspect the goods at the supplier's location before shipment. Confirm that the body has an office or representative in your supplier's country.
(3) Product category expertise — some inspection bodies have stronger expertise in specific product categories. TÜV Rheinland, for example, is particularly strong in electrical and electronic equipment. Ask the inspection body about their experience with your specific product category. (4) Fee and timeline — request quotations from at least two inspection bodies and compare fees and timelines. The cheapest option is not always the best — prioritise accreditation and expertise over price.
Never engage an inspection body that cannot demonstrate current SABS accreditation. A CoC from a non-accredited body will be rejected by SARS Customs.
What to Provide When Engaging
Information the Inspection Body Needs
When contacting an inspection body, provide: product description and HS code; applicable SANS standards (if known); supplier name, address, and country; quantity and planned shipment date; any existing test reports or certifications the supplier has for the product.
The inspection body will use this information to assess the inspection requirements and provide a quotation. If you are unsure which SANS standards apply to your product, the inspection body can advise.
How do I find an SABS-accredited inspection body?
Contact Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, or TÜV Rheinland directly. All four have offices in South Africa and in most major manufacturing countries. Verify current SABS accreditation on the SABS website (sabs.co.za) before engaging.
How do I verify that an inspection body is SABS-accredited?
Check the SABS website (sabs.co.za) for the current list of accredited inspection bodies. Only bodies on this list can issue valid PVoC CoCs.
Can I use any inspection body, or only the four major ones?
Other inspection bodies may also be SABS-accredited. The full list is published by SABS. However, the four major bodies (Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland) are the most widely used and have the broadest global presence.
How long does the inspection process take?
First-time certifications typically take 2–4 weeks. Repeat certifications for the same product model are faster. Start the process well before your planned shipment date.
When does PVoC enforcement become mandatory?
20 September 2026. From that date, SARS Customs will check for valid PVoC CoCs on all regulated goods.
Continue Learning
Engage an Inspection Body Now — 2–4 Weeks Lead Time
First-time certifications take 2–4 weeks. Contact Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS, or TÜV Rheinland now and create your CoC Vault account before the 20 September 2026 deadline.
Sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026); Standards Act 8 of 2008; Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. Last verified: 3 May 2026. certificatesofconformity.co.za is an independent reference publication operated by LinkDaddy LLC, a Florida-registered US entity. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the SABS, NRCS, SARS, or any agency of the Government of South Africa.