What changes on 6 September 2026
The Physical Agents Regulations (PAR) come into force under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, replacing the 1987 Environmental Regulations for Workplaces. For the first time, emergency escape-route lighting is written explicitly into the OHS Act schedule — no longer treated as a nice-to-have.
In plain terms: every qualifying workplace needs working, certified emergency lighting on its escape routes, and the records to prove it.
The two standards that matter
- SANS 1464-22 — the product standard. Every emergency luminaire must be certified to it, which VC8055 makes compulsory.
- SANS 10114-2 — the design and installation standard. It sets where the lights go, the minimum light levels, and how long they must run.
What a compliant building looks like
Certified luminaires and exit signs at every point on the escape route — final exits, stairs, changes of direction, corridor intersections and fire equipment — each within two metres of where it’s needed. A one-hour minimum duration. And a logbook showing monthly function tests and an annual full-duration discharge.
Duty of care, not just a deadline
Stripped of the legal language, PAR asks a simple question: if the power fails, can everyone get out safely? Getting there is a short project — a walk-through, a design, an install and a sign-off, typically six to twelve weeks. Start with a free gap analysis and we’ll show you exactly where your building stands.
See where your building stands.
Run the free 9-point escape-route check, or talk to the compliance team — we advise on the technical and legal detail wherever you need it.