The Engineering Council of South Africa is empowered by the Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act 46 of 2000), to conduct "Accreditation Investigations" (Visits) at educational institutions to determine whether the engineering qualifications offered can be recognised by the Council for purposes of registration. These visits are conducted on invitation and with the full co-operation of the Higher Education Institutions.

The Council also has the power to prescribe its own examinations, either oral or written, which can be conducted by ECSA itself or externally through Higher Education Institutions with ECSA accredited programmes.

Although ECSA’s focus is primarily aimed at ensuring that qualifications presented for purposes of registration meet its requirements, ESCA also has a wider perspective namely the maintenance of quality in higher engineering education in South Africa as a pivotal driving force towards promotion of the public safety, health and interests, economic viability of the country, and international competitiveness and recognition.