Exempt Micro Enterprises (EME's) are businesses with an annual turnover of below R10 million.* They are exempt from having to comply with the B-BBEE scorecard and merely need to prove that their annual turnover is below the required turnover threshold. They are afforded an automatic Level 4 B-BBEE status. If they can also prove that they are 51% Black Owned they are awarded an automatic Level 2 B-BBEE status. If they are 100% Black Owned they are awarded and automatic Level 1 B-BBEE Status.

In terms of the Amended Codes EME’s only require an affidavit confirming their B-BBEE Status. Template affidavits may be downloaded from the Department of Trade and Industry website (www.thedti.gov.za).

Verification agencies are no longer allowed to issue certificates for EME’s in terms of the Amended Codes.

* Please note that the thresholds for qualification as an EME in terms of the different sector codes are sometimes different to those adopted by the general Amended Codes.