Certification Statement Template for South Africa

A Certification Statement is a formal written declaration that confirms specific facts, claims, or compliance requirements are true and accurate. In South African business and legal contexts, these statements often accompany financial reports, regulatory filings, or tender submissions to verify the information's authenticity.

Companies and professionals use Certification Statements to meet requirements under laws like the Companies Act 71 of 2008 and the B-BBEE Act. They carry legal weight, making the person signing them accountable for the truth of their claims. False certifications can lead to serious consequences, including fines or criminal charges under South African law.

Use a Certification Statement when you need to formally verify important claims or information, especially during B-BBEE verification, tender submissions, or financial reporting to regulatory bodies. These statements prove particularly valuable when submitting annual returns to CIPC, confirming compliance with industry standards, or declaring tax-related information to SARS.

Companies typically need Certification Statements during audits, when applying for government contracts, or while demonstrating compliance with the Companies Act. They're essential for directors confirming financial statements, professionals verifying qualifications, and businesses certifying their employment equity reports to the Department of Labour.

• Basic Compliance Certification: Used for general regulatory compliance and corporate governance declarations, commonly seen in annual CIPC filings
• Financial Statement Certification: Required for directors and officers confirming the accuracy of company financial reports
• B-BBEE Status Certification: Specifically formatted to verify broad-based black economic empowerment compliance levels
• Professional Qualification Certification: Used by professionals to verify their credentials, qualifications, and good standing
• Tender Documentation Certification: Tailored for government procurement processes, verifying bid information accuracy and compliance

• Company Directors: Sign Certification Statements for financial reports, annual returns, and corporate governance declarations
• Compliance Officers: Draft and review statements to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and internal policies
• Professional Bodies: Issue certification statements for member qualifications and good standing
• B-BBEE Verification Agencies: Verify and certify company empowerment status and compliance levels
• Government Departments: Review and validate certification statements during tender processes, regulatory filings, and audits
• Legal Representatives: Advise on content and implications of certification statements to protect client interests

• Identify Purpose: Determine the specific reason for certification and which regulations or standards apply
• Gather Documentation: Collect all supporting evidence, records, and relevant company information
• Verify Authority: Confirm who has proper authority to make the certification under South African law
• Draft Content: Use our platform to generate a legally-sound statement that includes all required elements
• Review Facts: Double-check all statements against source documents for complete accuracy
• Format Requirements: Include date, company details, and clear signature blocks for authorized persons

• Clear Title: "Certification Statement" prominently displayed with specific purpose identified
• Entity Details: Full legal name, registration number, and physical address of the certifying organization
• Subject Matter: Precise description of facts, claims, or compliance matters being certified
• Declaration Language: Explicit statement confirming the truth and accuracy of all included information
• Legal Authority: Citation of relevant South African laws or regulations under which certification is made
• Signatory Details: Full name, position, and contact information of authorized person making certification
• Date and Place: Clear indication of when and where the certification was made

A Certification Statement differs significantly from a Disclosure Statement in both purpose and legal effect. While both documents involve formal declarations, they serve distinct functions in South African business and legal contexts.

• Purpose and Intent: Certification Statements actively verify specific facts or compliance status as true, while Disclosure Statements reveal important information without necessarily vouching for its accuracy
• Legal Liability: Certification Statements create direct legal accountability for the truth of statements made, carrying potential criminal penalties for false declarations. Disclosure Statements focus on transparency obligations with typically civil consequences
• Timing and Use: Certification Statements are typically used at specific points like regulatory submissions or tender processes, whereas Disclosure Statements are often ongoing documents updated as new information becomes available
• Content Structure: Certification Statements contain definitive declarations with specific verification language, while Disclosure Statements provide detailed explanations and contextual information