Required certification · South Africa
SAQCC Gas
Registration of gas practitioners under the Pressure Equipment Regulations
Market position
SAQCC Gas is a non-profit company formed by four gas industry associations and, it says, appointed by the Department of Employment and Labour to register gas practitioners in natural gas, LPG, refrigeration and air conditioning gas, and industrial and medical gases. Under regulation 17 of the Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009, no person may install or remove a gas appliance, gas system or gas reticulation system unless registered as an authorised person for that scope of work. An authorised person must issue a certificate of conformity after an installation, alteration or change of user or ownership.
South Africa-specific note
Since 1 April 2023 SAQCC Gas treats paper certificates of conformity as invalid, and certificates are issued in its app. Regulation 17 also requires an external inspection and leak test before a new gas system is commissioned, so gas installers should record the test and certificate number against each job.
Pros
- + Public register that customers can check on the SAQCC Gas website
- + Digital certificates of conformity issued through the SAQCC Gas app
- + Practitioners carry a digital registration card that can be shown on site
- + Covers four gas sectors, from LPG to industrial and medical gases
Cons
- − Installing or removing gas appliances without registration is an offence (fine or up to 12 months' imprisonment)
- − Registration only covers the scope of work you are registered for
- − Paper certificates have not been valid since 1 April 2023
- − Fees are not published on the SAQCC Gas website
Typical South Africa pricing
No fee schedule on the SAQCC Gas website pages read; registration and certificate costs come from SAQCC Gas or the relevant member association.
Why this matters for South Africa trades
Under the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, electrical contractors must register with the Department of Employment and Labour, and only registered persons may issue the electrical Certificate of Compliance. Regulation 17 of the Pressure Equipment Regulations bars anyone who is not a registered authorised person (registered through SAQCC Gas) from installing or removing gas appliances and systems. Under PIRB’s rules, only PIRB Licensed Plumbers can issue its plumbing CoC, which is needed for most plumbing work above R1,500 and for electric, solar and heat pump water heating at any cost. Contractors must be cidb-registered to carry out public sector contracts awarded by tender or quotation, and each grade sets a maximum contract value; the NHBRC says anyone in the business of building homes must be registered with it; and under the Construction Regulations, 2014, clients and principal contractors must confirm COIDA good standing before work starts.
South African trades vendor selection is shaped by certificates issued on each job (electrical Certificates of Compliance from registered persons under the Department of Employment and Labour, SAQCC Gas certificates of conformity, PIRB plumbing CoCs), cidb registration and grading (1-9) for public sector contracts, NHBRC registration for home builders, SARS payroll and VAT obligations (15% VAT, the monthly EMP201 and EMP501 reconciliations, with mandatory e-invoicing proposed from 2030 in a SARS consultation paper of August 2026), and the COIDA Letter of Good Standing checked before site work.
Frequently asked
Is SAQCC Gas a good fit for South Africa trades?
SAQCC Gas is a non-profit company formed by four gas industry associations and, it says, appointed by the Department of Employment and Labour to register gas practitioners in natural gas, LPG, refrigeration and air conditioning gas, and industrial and medical gases. Under regulation 17 of the Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2009, no person may install or remove a gas appliance, gas system or gas reticulation system unless registered as an authorised person for that scope of work. An authorised person must issue a certificate of conformity after an installation, alteration or change of user or ownership. Since 1 April 2023 SAQCC Gas treats paper certificates of conformity as invalid, and certificates are issued in its app. Regulation 17 also requires an external inspection and leak test before a new gas system is commissioned, so gas installers should record the test and certificate number against each job.
What does SAQCC Gas cost in South Africa?
No fee schedule on the SAQCC Gas website pages read; registration and certificate costs come from SAQCC Gas or the relevant member association. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current South Africa pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other South Africa vendors
PIRB (Plumbing Industry Registration Board)
Required certification
Dept of Employment & Labour (Electrical)
Required certification
CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board)
Required certification
NHBRC (Home Builders Registration Council)
Required certification
SARS (VAT, PAYE & eFiling)
Required certification
COIDA / Compensation Fund
Required certification