Resource library
Sector codes & legislation
37 official documents across 14 sectors of the South African economy. Last updated 2025/11/18.
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is the South African government's framework for measuring how a business contributes to economic transformation. The Codes of Good Practice apply by default, and sector codes override them for specific industries such as construction, financial services, tourism, ICT and agriculture, where the gazetted sector scorecard takes precedence. This library mirrors the Government Gazettes and sector charter documents currently in force, drawn from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the B-BBEE Commission. For advice on which code applies to your business, see our B-BBEE services.
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Codes of Good Practice
5 documentsThe Generic Codes of Good Practice issued under the B-BBEE Act apply to any measured entity that is not bound by a sector-specific code.
Agriculture
1 documentApplies to farming, agro-processing, and businesses deriving the majority of their revenue from agricultural activity.
Chartered Accountancy
4 documentsApplies to audit firms, accounting practices, and registered Chartered Accountants providing assurance and accounting services.
Construction
1 documentApplies to contractors, developers, built-environment professionals, and construction-materials suppliers.
Defence
1 documentApplies to manufacturers and suppliers of defence equipment, services, and technologies regulated under the Defence Industry Charter.
Financial Sector
1 documentApplies to banks, insurers, asset managers, and other financial-services entities measured under the Financial Sector Code.
Forestry
1 documentApplies to growers, harvesters, sawmillers, and pulp-and-paper businesses operating in the South African forestry value chain.
ICT
1 documentApplies to telecoms operators, software houses, IT services, electronics, and broadcasting businesses.
Legal
1 documentApplies to law firms, advocates, and legal-services providers regulated under the Legal Sector Code.
Marketing, Advertising & Communication
1 documentApplies to advertising agencies, PR firms, media buyers, and marketing/communications businesses.
Property
1 documentApplies to property owners, developers, managing agents, valuers, and brokers operating in commercial and residential property.
Tourism
1 documentApplies to accommodation, hospitality, tour operators, travel agents, and tourism-services businesses.
Transport
17 documentsApplies across rail, bus, road freight, taxi, aviation, maritime, forwarding & clearing, and public-sector transport sub-sectors.
YES Programme
1 documentThe Youth Employment Service initiative recognises BEE bonus points for measured entities that absorb unemployed black youth into 12-month work experiences.
All documents are published by the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition or the respective sector charter councils, with oversight by the B-BBEE Commission. ActivPro provides this archive for reference; for advisory on how a code applies to your business, get in touch.
Common questions
B-BBEE sector codes: FAQ
- What is B-BBEE?
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is a South African government policy framework, established by the B-BBEE Act 53 of 2003 (as amended), that measures how a business contributes to economic transformation across ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development.
- Who needs to comply with a sector code?
- Any measured entity whose primary economic activity falls within a gazetted sector, such as construction, financial services, tourism, ICT or agriculture, is measured against that sector's code rather than the Standard Codes of Good Practice (COGP). Where no sector code applies, the Standard Codes apply.
- How do I know which sector code applies to my business?
- Sector applicability is determined by where the majority of your revenue is generated, not by your registered industry classification. A B-BBEE Advisor or accredited B-BBEE verification agency can confirm the correct code based on your turnover mix.
- What is the difference between the original and amended sector codes?
- Amended codes were issued to align sector-specific scorecards with the Amended Codes of Good Practice gazetted from 2013 onwards. Where an amended sector code has been gazetted it supersedes the original; until then the original code remains in force.
- Are EMEs and QSEs required to follow a sector code?
- Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs, annual turnover under R10 million) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs, R10 to R50 million) are measured under simplified scorecards. Most sector codes follow the same EME/QSE thresholds as the Standard Codes of Good Practice (COGP), with sector-specific variations, so check the specific code that applies to your business.
- Where can I find the most up-to-date version of my sector code?
- The authoritative source is the Government Gazette published by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The library on this page mirrors the gazetted documents currently in force.
- Does my business need a verification agency?
- Generic and QSE entities require a B-BBEE certificate issued by a SANAS-accredited verification agency. EMEs & majority Black-Owned QSEs only require an affidavit confirming turnover and black ownership, which can be self-issued or assisted by a B-BBEE consultant.