SABS certification is a third-party certification system established by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) in accordance with the Standards Act of 1945. Operating under the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, SABS is primarily responsible for product certification, management system certification, and the administration of compulsory standards.

Its certification scope covers various fields, including chemical products, mechanical equipment, and construction materials. The certification results serve as a critical basis for South Africa's import control measures.

SABS certification is divided into mandatory and voluntary categories:

Mandatory certification includes the Letter of Authority (LOA) and the Certificate of Compliance (COC), which are issued after assessment by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and SABS, respectively.

Voluntary certification grants the right to use the SABS mark, which requires factory audits and annual assessments.

The certification process involves application submission, factory inspection, sample testing, and other steps. Certificates are valid for three years, and after certification, a local South African agent must be appointed to complete market access procedures. This certification system spans eight major industries—such as construction, electrical engineering, and automotive—covering over 70 compulsory standards, forming a core mechanism of technical barriers to trade in the South African market.