Lift and Elevator Codes and Standards in South Africa
Lifts, escalators and passenger conveyors are regulated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 through the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 (GN R.828), administered by the Department of Employment and Labour. Safety standards (SANS 1545 parts, SANS 1543, SANS 50081-x) are incorporated by notice (currently Notice 2683 of 2022). A user must designate a competent lift service provider to examine and maintain each unit at least monthly (or as the manufacturer prescribes), and an accredited inspection service provider employing an ECSA-registered lift inspector must complete a comprehensive report at first use, after modification or reportable incident, on change of service provider, and at intervals not exceeding 24 months. Goods hoists formerly under the Driven Machinery Regulations were moved into the lift regulations.
Who regulates lifts
Department of Employment and Labour (Chief Inspector, OHS Act)
Periodic inspection
Comprehensive report by a SANAS-accredited inspection service provider employing an ECSA-registered lift inspector at intervals not exceeding 24 months; monthly examination/maintenance by a designated competent lift service provider.
Installer and maintenance licensing
Maintenance by a 'competent lift service provider' employing competent lift mechanics; inspectors must be ECSA Registered Lift Inspectors working for SANAS-accredited inspection service providers.
Laws, codes and standards
- Act 85 of 1993 — Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993Mandatory · Act of Parliament · Parliament of South Africa / Department of Employment and Labour
- GN R.828 of 2010 (2010) — Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010Mandatory · Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 · Department of Employment and Labour
- GN 5653 of 2024 (2024) — National Code of Practice for Inspection and Testing of Lift, Escalator and Passenger ConveyorReferenced by law · Incorporated into LEPCR 2010 under OHS Act s44 (Government Gazette 51740, 13 Dec 2024) · Department of Employment and Labour
- GN R.94 of 2017 (2017) — Code of Practice: Existing Goods Hoists InstallationsReferenced by law · OHS Act; LEPCR 2010 · Department of Employment and Labour
- SANS 1543 — Escalators and passenger conveyorsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 1545-1 — Lifts - Part 1: Electric lifts: construction and installation safety rulesReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 1545-2 — Lifts - Part 2: Hydraulic lifts: construction and installation safety rulesReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 1545-3 — Lifts - Part 3: Stair-lifting platforms for persons with physical disabilitiesReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 1545-5 — Lifts - Part 5: Electric and hydraulic access, goods-only liftsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 1545-6 — Lifts - Part 6: Rack and pinion liftsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 1545-9 — Lifts - Part 9: Fire resistance testing of lift landing doorsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 21-1 — Escalators and passenger conveyors - construction and installation safety rulesReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-20 — Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 20: Passenger and goods passenger liftsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-21 — New passenger and goods passenger lifts in existing buildingsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-22 — Electric lifts with inclined pathReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-3 — Electric and hydraulic service liftsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-41 — Special lifts - Part 41: Vertical lifting platforms intended for use by persons with impaired mobilityReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-50 — Examinations and tests - Part 50: Design rules, calculations, examinations and tests of lift componentsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 50081-70 — Particular applications - Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disabilityReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- SANS 53015 — Maintenance for lifts and escalators - Rules for maintenance instructionsReferenced by law · Incorporated into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010 by Notice 2683 of 2022 (OHS Act s44) · SABS
- GN 2683 of 2022 (2022) — Incorporation of Safety Standards into the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010Mandatory · OHS Act s44 · Department of Employment and Labour
- GN 763 of 2015 (2015) — Guidelines for the Lift, Escalator and Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 2010Voluntary · Guidance under OHS Act · Department of Employment and Labour
Lift associations and bodies
- Lift Engineering Association of South Africa (LEASA)
- Department of Employment and Labour (DEL)
- Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)
- South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)
- South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
Last verified 2026-10-16. Standards are copyrighted: we list which one applies and its legal status, not its text.