Sally O'Shea, who runs a portable toilet hire company in Cape Town, criticised the department for failing to adequately publicise the new rules.
"This document is affecting us, and its implication should have been directly communicated with us," said O'Shea.
"The small business sector is facing enormous cash flow challenges. The [verification costs] could be better used for training and other skills development programmes."
But trade and industry spokesperson Vukani Mde dismissed concerns that the costs would be a burden on small businesses. Mde said firms with a turnover of more than R5 million should be able to afford to pay rating agencies.
"Fronting is a big problem when it comes to effective implementation of BEE," Mde said. "This charter is meant to help regulate the industry."
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