The affidavit is for certification purposes. Normally, a company would have its B-BBEE rating independently certified. However, Exempt Micro Enterprises (i.e. any business with an annual turnover below R10 million) and black-owned Qualifying Small Enterprises (i.e. any business with an annual turnover between R10 million and R50 million) can instead use a sworn affidavit in lieu of independent certification. Given that independent certification can be an expensive and laborious process, the sworn affidavit option makes B-BBEE compliance quicker, easier, and less expensive for SMEs and black business owners.