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Associations
THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION: ELECTRONIC COCS A significant leap forward in compliance and security has been the transition from paper-based CoCs to digital electronic CoCs. Launched in March 2021, the digital CoC app became mandatory from April 2023, with paper CoCs being discontinued.
Key features and benefits of the digital CoC system:
• Exclusive access: only SAQCC Gas registered practitioners have access to the electronic CoC app. If your licence is expired, you cannot issue a CoC.
• Security and compliance: this system ensures that all CoCs conform to the required format under the Pressure Equipment Regulations, eliminating previously common issues of illegal or invalid CoCs issued with unofficial templates.
• Pre-populated information: the practitioner ' s details are pre-populated on the CoC template.
• Customer and practitioner signatures: both the customer and the gas practitioner must sign the digital CoC, confirming safety explanations and system understanding.
• Preview before submission: practitioners are strongly encouraged to preview the CoC before submission. Once submitted, the CoC is instantly distributed to the customer, the relevant association and the practitioner, making corrections impossible without issuing a new, replacement CoC.
• Company management: companies with multiple practitioners can purchase and distribute CoCs internally through a company profile on the system. This allows for centralised management and viewing of issued and pending CoCs by their registered practitioners. Practitioners allocated to a company profile will not have the option to purchase CoCs directly from their app.
• Environmental impact: the digital system reduces the carbon footprint by minimising paper usage.
• Recordkeeping: the digital system provides easy tracking and retrieval of all issued CoCs for both SAQCC Gas and individual practitioners.
• Accessibility: the SAQCC Gas app( available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store) allows registered practitioners to view their digital licence card, displaying their photo, licence number, expiry date, company, gas type and registered skills. An online database is also available 24 / 7 for anyone to verify a practitioner ' s registration status by searching by province, registration number, surname, town / suburb or company name.
MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY Mtshali emphasised several critical points for practitioners to
ensure professional integrity and avoid disciplinary action:
• Work within scope:“ Practitioners must only work within the specific scope of gas type( LPGas, AC & R, etc.) and
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skills( installation, maintenance, etc.) for which they are registered. Possessing an SAQCC Gas license does not grant authority to work on all gas types.”
• Personal responsibility:“ Only sign off on work that you have personally carried out or personally supervised and that falls within your scope of registration. Never share your app login credentials or allow another person to sign off on your behalf, even if they are a friend or family member. The CoC bears your name, making you fully responsible for the signed work. If mentoring, ensure you visit and inspect the installation before signing.”
• Prioritise safety:“ The core purpose of this registration framework is to ensure that competent, trained individuals prioritise safety in all gas-related activities.”
• Update personal details:“ Inform SAQCC Gas of any changes to your email address or contact number to ensure accurate system records.”
ADDRESSING INDUSTRY CONCERNS: ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE During a Q & A session, an audience member raised a concern regarding the apparent lack of law enforcement against unlicensed practitioners and the ease with which individuals can acquire gas components without presenting a valid licence. He cited examples of unregistered individuals undertaking domestic refrigeration repairs without proper authorisation, leading to unsafe practices and short-term fixes. He contrasted this with overseas practices where proof of certification is often required for purchases and installations.
Mtshali acknowledged these critical concerns and indicated that discussions around robust enforcement mechanisms are ongoing. She suggested the digital CoC system is a step towards greater accountability, as an expired license prevents CoC issuance, and the central database allows for verification. However, ongoing collaboration between regulatory bodies, industry associations, suppliers and law enforcement is essential to fully curb unauthorised practices and uphold the high safety standards the SAQCC Gas framework aims to achieve. RACA
Image by © RACA Journal www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I October 2025 7