About ECSA

About ECSA

The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act (EPA), 46 of 2000. The Engineering Councils` primary role is the regulation of the engineering profession in terms of this Act. Its core functions are the accreditation of engineering programmes, registration of persons as candidates and professionals. and in professional specified categories, as well as the regulation of the practice of Registered Persons.

Consequently, ECSA is the only body in South Africa that is authorised to register engineering professionals and bestow the use of engineering titles, such as Pr Eng, Pr Tech Eng, Pr Techni Eng, Pr Cert Eng, on persons who have met the requisite professional registration criteria.

Understanding ECSA's Mandate
The EPA requires and empowers ECSA to perform the following functions:
Accreditation
Setting and auditing of academic standards for purposes of registration through a process of accreditation of engineering programmes at Higher Education Institutions.
Code of Conduct
Prescribing a Code of Conduct and Codes of Practice, and enforcing such conduct through the Investigating High Impact Committee and a Disciplinary Tribunal.
CPD
Prescribing requirements for Continuing Professional Development and determining the period within which Registered Persons must apply for renewal of their registrations.
CBE
Identification of work of an engineering nature that should be reserved for Registered Persons by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), after consultation with the Competition Board.
Professional Categories

Setting and auditing of professional development standards through the provision of guidelines which set out ECSA’s post-qualification requirements for registration in the four professional categories of registration; 
CBE & DPWI
Advising the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on matters relating to the engineering profession and cognate matters.

Professional Association
Recognition of professional associations, such as engineering associations, institutions and societies.

Publications

Publication of a guideline tariff of fees for consulting work, in consultation with government, the profession and industry.
The Act

Doing such other things as may be necessary for the proper performance of its functions in terms of the Act.

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Our History
Since the 1880s, efforts were made to achieve statutory recognition of individual engineering practitioners through the legislative structures of the Transvaal Colonies, the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, and later, the Union of South Africa.
1903

The Legislative Council of the Transvaal Colony

In 1903, the Legislative Council of the Transvaal Colony passed an Ordinance requiring the appointment of Engineers to take charge of Machinery.

1906

Engineers Certificates of Competency

In 1903, the Legislative Council of the Transvaal Colony passed an Ordinance requiring the appointment of Engineers to take charge of Machinery.

1911

The Mines and Works Act

In 1911, the Mines and Works Act was passed and only engineers who were holders of certificates of competency were recognised by law and their responsibilities defined by regulations promulgated in the interest of safety in the industry

1980

Bill for the protection of Civil Engineers and Architects

In 1980, the bill for the protection of Civil Engineers and Architects was introduced in Parliament by Sir Gordon Sprigg.

1983

The Association of Engineers and Architects

In 1983, the Association of Engineers and Architects drafted a petition for the statutory recognition of individual engineers and architects.

1990

Establishment of the Engineering Council of South Africa

In 1990, the Engineering Profession of South Africa Act, 1990 (Act No 114 of 1990) “EPSAAct” established the Engineering Council of South Africa as the single body serving all four categories of engineering practitioners

1991

ECSA replaces SACPE

In 1991, ECSA replaced SACPE in terms of the Engineering Profession of South Africa Act to consolidate the professional registration of Certificated Engineers, Engineering, Engineering Technicians and Engineering Technologists.

2000

Parliament promulgates ECSA according to Engineering Profession Act, 2000

In 2000, Parliament promulgated the suite of seven acts for the establishment of the six built environment professional councils. The Engineering Council of South Africa was then established in terms of the Engineering Profession Act, 2000 (Act No. 46 of 2000)

2001

ECSA becomes part of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE)

In 2001, ECSA became part of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) together with five the Councils for the seven professions in the Built Environment, i.e Architecture, Construction Management, Construction Project Management, Engineering, Landscape, Architecture, Property Valuation and Quantity Surveying.
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