Who must report, what changed in 2025 and how to get your EEA2 and EEA4 in on time.
The Employment Equity online reporting window opened on 1 September 2026 and closes on 15 January 2027. Designated employers must submit their EEA2 report and EEA4 income differential statement to the Department of Employment and Labour before the deadline.
Who is designated? Since 1 January 2025, every employer with 50 or more employees. The old turnover thresholds were removed, so smaller-headcount businesses with a high turnover are no longer designated on turnover alone, and growing businesses that crossed 50 employees are now in.
What changed? Sectoral numerical targets now apply, and your EE plan must show how you will move towards them. The EE Regulations were also updated with new forms.
What to do now: confirm your workforce profile and occupational levels; consult your EE committee on the report and plan, and minute it; complete your income differential analysis; and check your EE plan against your sector's targets. Leave it for the December shutdown and you risk a rushed, unconsulted submission.
Not designated? Every employer must still prevent unfair discrimination, and if you want to contract with the state you need a certificate of compliance from the Department.
The cost of getting it wrong: contraventions of specified sections carry fines of up to R1.5 million or 2% of turnover, and no compliance certificate means no state contracts.
This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Speak to a MetaCo consultant about your organisation.