The dti has released their Verification Manual:

"The Verification Manual provides comprehensive and easy-to-follow guidelines on the authentication and substantiation of B-BBEE reporting, and minimum norms and standards on the ethical conduct and procedures employed in ensuring the verification of B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice."

The verification guideline puts forward a methodology for verification agencies to follow. It is very much an auditing manual, and emphasises that verification agencies must check records. At first glance I'm impressed with the detail that has gone into the manual, and verification agencies are going to have to be even more diligent about checking records and ensuring accuracy. Many companies will earn far less points than they deserve unless they can prove they have earned them.

The good news is our EconoLog system has been following these principles for the past eight months!

Watch this space - we will provide more commentary shortly.