South Africa
B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code compliance, made simple
13 yes/no questions on the B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code: whether it applies to you, your size category, proof of your level, the scorecard elements, and the requirements specific to the sector. You get a score for each area and a list of gaps with what to do about each one.
ComplianceDesk gives you 7 pre-built B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code controls, an evidence vault, audit-ready reports, and reminders before anything falls overdue — so proving B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code compliance stops being a spreadsheet exercise.
Take the free self-assessment: a score for each area and a list of gaps to close.
What is B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code?
13 yes/no questions on the B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code: whether it applies to you, your size category, proof of your level, the scorecard elements, and the requirements specific to the sector. You get a score for each area and a list of gaps with what to do about each one.
- Official name
- B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code
- Status
- In force. Shown as in force as we understand it. Check the current text with the regulator or an attorney, since provisions can be amended or commence at different times.
Who it applies to
- Whether it applies to you depends on your size, activities and licences. Use the free "Which laws apply to me?" checker, or read the first section of the self-assessment.
- The Amended Forest Sector Code was gazetted as GG 40803 on 21 April 2017 under section 9(1) of the B-BBEE Act. It applies to entities in commercial forestry and first-level processing of wood products, whether medium and large enterprises, qualifying small enterprises or exempted micro enterprises. The Forest Sector Charter Council monitors performance against its targets.
What you have to do
Does the sector code apply, and where do you fit?
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Have you checked that your business falls inside the scope of the Forestry Sector Code, and recorded the answer? Do you know your size category (exempted micro enterprise, qualifying small enterprise or generic enterprise) under this sector code? Do you hold the right proof of your level, either a verification certificate from an accredited agency or, where this sector code allows it, a sworn affidavit?
The scorecard elements
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Do you know the black ownership of your business and can you prove it from your share register and agreements? Do you track black people and black women at board, executive and management levels against the sector code's targets? Do you spend on skills development for black people, and keep proof of the spend and the training? Do you buy from, and develop, black-owned and small suppliers, and track the spend and the support you give? Do you make socio-economic contributions that benefit black people and keep proof?
Forestry sector requirements
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Do you know if you are in commercial forestry or first-level processing of wood products, which defines the scope of the code? If you are a timber grower, do you track black ownership, community and small-grower schemes and the benefits they receive? Do you report to the Forest Sector Charter Council when it asks, and track your performance against the sector targets? Do you follow environmental and land rules that apply to forestry, such as NEMA and the National Water Act, as part of operating in the sector?
Evidence and reporting
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Do you keep one evidence file per element each year, so a verifier or the sector council can check your claims?
How to comply, step by step
- Does the sector code apply, and where do you fit?. Compare your main activities with the scope section of the gazetted sector code. A sector code replaces the generic scorecard for entities within its scope. Take advice if you work across sectors. Use the thresholds in the sector code, not the generic figures, and record your category each financial year. Check whether this sector code accepts affidavits, then book verification early. A certificate is valid for 12 months.
- The scorecard elements. Reconcile your securities register to your ownership claim, and keep the agreements. See the B-BBEE assessment. Make a table by level, race and gender, and set yearly targets. Keep invoices, registers and certificates. See the Skills Development assessment. Run a spend analysis by supplier level and record each development contribution. Keep a register of each contribution with the recipient, amount and evidence.
- Forestry sector requirements. Check your activities against the scope wording. Downstream processing may fall under another sector code. Keep records of outgrower and community arrangements and their payments. Answer Not applicable if you are not a grower. Name a contact for the Council and submit data on time. See the NEMA assessment, and check water use and afforestation licences.
- Evidence and reporting. Build the evidence file through the year, and not at verification time.
Sources and review status
Compiled from the public sources below. It is not legal advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Last researched 2026-11-01. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the current text and the regulator's notices before relying on it.
- Amended Forest Sector Code, GG 40803 (Acts Online)
- Amended Forest Sector Code, Government Gazette 40803 (gov.za)
- B-BBEE Frequently Asked Questions (RSM South Africa)
- Annual report highlights Forest Sector transformation progress (SA Forestry)
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 (Acts Online)
Every B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code control, organised for you
The real control library ComplianceDesk seeds the moment you activate B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code — 7 controls across 5 categories.
Ownership
- BBFOR-1.1 Black ownership target per Forestry Sector Code
Management Control
- BBFOR-2.1 Black senior/executive management representation
Skills Development
- BBFOR-3.1 Forestry sector skills development spend target met
- BBFOR-3.2 Forestry learnership and internship programmes implemented
Enterprise & Supplier Development
- BBFOR-4.1 Preferential procurement from black-owned forestry products enterprises
- BBFOR-4.2 Forestry enterprise development contributions
Socio-Economic Development
- BBFOR-5.1 Community and land claimant beneficiation contributions tracked
Frequently asked questions
How can I check where my business stands on B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code?
Take the free self-assessment. It scores each area, lists your gaps with what to do about each one, and does not say you are compliant. You can save the result to ComplianceDesk to turn each gap into a task with an owner and a due date.
Is this guide written by a lawyer?
No. It was assembled from the public sources listed below and has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Treat it as a starting point and check the current law before relying on it.
How many controls does ComplianceDesk track for B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code?
7, organised into 5 categories, ready to assign to an owner as soon as you activate the framework.
Can I track B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code alongside other frameworks?
Yes — most teams activate several frameworks at once. Controls that overlap across frameworks can share the same evidence, so you don't collect the same document twice.
How long does it take to set up B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code in ComplianceDesk?
Activating B-BBEE Forestry Sector Code instantly seeds its full control library. Most teams assign owners and get their first controls moving within a day.
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