The department of labour has mandated SAGA as the verifying Authority for Natural Gas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas industrial equipment, all industrial equipment are expected to conform to the SANS 329 and 347 specifications which are used by SAGA to ensure all equipment supplied manufactured in  South Africa or Imported to South Africa is suitable for Gas usage.

The Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER) were put in place to ensure that all LPG intended equipment meets a safety standard and will not be the cause of any health hazard or endangerment. These regulations set out the requirements regarding the design, manufacture, operation, repair, modification, inspection and testing of pressure. In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, PER also requires who intends on working on any Gas to undergo specific training and to be registered with the South African Qualification and Certification Committee – Gas (SAQCC Gas.

In an effort to curb unlawful LPG installations, SAGA has established the Safe Gas Equipment Scheme (SGES) that is set to ensure that all equipment installed in South Africa has been tested and is in compliance with an international or nationally acceptable standard that is safe and fit for intended use. All equipment that has been declared fit for installation are rewarded a SAGA Equipment Verification Permit.

A registered gas practitioner will need to indicate and certify on the Certificate of Conformity (COC) that the equipment installed has been confirmed fit for purpose by the SGES Committee, a permit number or the certificate to be recorded should be attached to the COC.

Shall equipment that has not been awarded a Verification Permit be installed in a household or a business, the person owning the appliance or operating it is liable for any damage or injury that may occur. Accidents in non-verified appliances are inevitable, they are a disaster just waiting to happen. The Pressure Equipment Regulation is a legally binding regulation, therefore if anyone is not in compliance with these regulations stands to be legally charged.