CIPC Mandates Black and White Scanning for Document Submissions

Posted 02 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category CIPC

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has issued a formal notice mandating that all scanned documents and email attachments submitted to the commission must be in black and white.

In terms of its operational requirements, the CIPC has advised all customers, stakeholders, and the public that scanned images and documents must be clear, legible, and rendered strictly in black and white to ensure prompt processing of applications.

The commission also reminded stakeholders of the legal obligations surrounding submissions. In terms of section 215(2)(e) of the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008, it is an offence to knowingly submit false or misleading information to the CIPC. Persons found guilty of submitting false information will face prosecution under the Act.

To ensure that applications and email document attachments are processed without delay, stakeholders must adhere to the following scanning standards:

  • All scanned images and documents must be rendered in black and white only (no colour scans).
  • Documents must be highly legible, clear, and easy to read to prevent administrative rejections.

Click here to download the CIPC Notice on Document Scanning.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Ensure that your scanner settings are permanently adjusted to black and white (monochrome) before uploading or emailing any applications to the CIPC.
  • For your business: Update internal document submission protocols and train administrative staff to verify that all CIPC filings, including company registrations and annual return attachments, comply with the black-and-white legibility standard to avoid application delays.
  • For your clients: Advise clients of the strict scanning requirements and the potential legal risks under section 215(2)(e) of the Companies Act, No. 71 of 2008, if altered, illegible, or non-compliant documents are submitted on their behalf.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/cipc-documents-scanning-to-be-black-and-white

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