The B-BBEE scorecard evidence file: what a verification agency will ask for

A verification agency measures a scorecard against documentary evidence, not a self-reported percentage. Every element of the generic scorecard — ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development — needs its own supporting file, built up through the measurement period rather than assembled after the fact.

Reviewed by TefCo Compliance Research — last verified 15 September 2026.

In short

Ownership evidence starts with the shareholders' register and flows through to proof of the actual rights the black shareholders hold — voting rights, economic interest and net value.
Skills development and enterprise and supplier development evidence must tie back to actual invoices, payments and beneficiary records, not just a training or spend plan.
An Exempted Micro Enterprise or Qualifying Small Enterprise still needs an ownership calculation behind its affidavit, even though it is not independently verified.

Entity status and identity documents

CIPC company registration documents (or equivalent for a close corporation, trust or sole proprietorship).
Most recent annual financial statements, used to determine EME, QSE or Generic Enterprise status against the applicable turnover thresholds.
Shareholders' register or equivalent ownership record.
Sworn affidavit or verification certificate from the prior measurement period, where one exists.

Ownership

Share certificates or equivalent proof of shareholding for each black participant.
Shareholders' agreement or memorandum of incorporation showing voting rights and economic interest.
Proof of funding structure for any vendor finance or trust-held shares, showing how net value accrues to black participants over time.
Identity documents supporting the race, gender and citizenship declarations behind the ownership calculation.

Management control, skills development, and enterprise & supplier development

Organograms and employment contracts showing race and gender of board members, executive management and senior/middle/junior management.
Payroll and skills development levy records supporting the skills spend calculation.
Training attendance registers, invoices from training providers, and learnership or internship agreements.
Preferential procurement schedule showing spend with black-owned and black women-owned suppliers, supported by supplier B-BBEE certificates or affidavits.
Enterprise and supplier development agreements, disbursement records and proof of payment for each beneficiary.
Socio-economic development beneficiary records, agreements and proof of payment or in-kind contribution.

A verification agency will typically reject a scorecard claim that is not backed by the supplier's own current B-BBEE affidavit or certificate — collect these from suppliers throughout the year rather than at verification time.

Frequently asked

Does an EME need to keep evidence even though it only submits an affidavit?

Yes. The affidavit is a sworn declaration, so the entity should still be able to substantiate the ownership percentage and other facts stated in it if asked, even though it is not independently verified by an agency.

What is the single most common reason a verification agency downgrades a score?

Enterprise and supplier development and preferential procurement claims that cannot be traced to an actual invoice, payment and the supplier's own valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit for the relevant period.

Can last year's verification certificate be reused if nothing has changed?

No — a new measurement period needs its own evidence file and, where required, its own verification, even if the entity's ownership and operations are unchanged.

Sources

TefCo Corporate Compliance (Pty) Ltd is a compliance management platform, not a legal, tax or advisory firm. This guide is general information, not advice. Fees, dates and thresholds change — confirm current figures with the regulator before you rely on them.