South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions

The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) is a registration and regulatory body for natural science professionals and was established in terms of the Natural Scientific Professions Act, No. 27 of 2003 (hereby referred to as the NSP Act) as amended by the Science and Technology Laws -Amendment Act, No. 7 of 2014. The Council is therefore mandated, as the Accounting Authority, to implement the provisions of the Act under the oversight of its Executive Authority, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. As with all statutory Councils, SACNASP has a duty to protect the public and does this through the mechanisms of its code of conduct. SACNASP is supported by a strong network of voluntary associations (VAs), there are currently 53 VAs aligned to SACNASP, and much of the professional expertise that supports the Council’s activities reside within these organisations. Through the recognised VAs, SACNASP is able to foster collaborations as well as partnerships with the VAs thus maintaining a high-quality knowledge base. The primary role of SACNASP to provide protection to the public in the natural science space, and natural science professions. SACNASP’s focus is to;

• To proactively advise government and relevant stakeholders on the contributions and role of the Natural Scientific Professions in South Africa
• To register and regulate natural science professionals
• To promote SACNASP and the natural science professions in South Africa
• To promote the professional development and transformation of the natural science sector of South Africa.
• To foster a culture of good corporate governance.