1. Certification Introduction

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) implemented the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) program on September 29, 2005, for imported goods into Kenya, enforcing pre-export conformity certification (PVoC).

According to Kenyan government regulations, importers must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to clear goods through Kenyan customs. After inspection, the CoC will be issued electronically, and the electronic version can be used directly for customs clearance.

All goods listed under the PVoC program must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by a KEBS-authorized agency before shipment. The CoC is a mandatory customs clearance document in Kenya. Without it, goods arriving at Kenyan ports will be denied entry. The shipment must be returned to the country of origin or diverted to a port in a neighboring country to allow an accredited conformity certification agency to complete the conformity assessment. Any resulting freight costs will be borne by the exporter or importer.

2. Scope of Application

Covers 14 major categories including electronic and electrical products, toys, automobiles, food, chemicals, textiles and leather, furniture, construction materials, and second-hand products.

3. Application Methods and Procedures

(1) One-time clearance certificate: Each shipment undergoes inspection and testing, resulting in a batch clearance certificate known as the Kenya CoC certificate or CoC clearance certificate. Testing takes 1-2 weeks (if an ISO 9001 certificate is available, internal test reports may exempt further testing), and applying for the clearance certificate takes 3-5 working days. Inspection takes half a day.

Any trade party can choose this route, applicable to any product exported by traders or manufacturers. The procedure is as follows: a. The exporter submits a certificate application; b. The exporter is informed of requirements and, if possible, prepares for data testing; c. Laboratory testing (if required) and bulk cargo inspection are arranged; d. Testing is conducted, and test results are submitted; e. Bulk cargo inspection is carried out, and the report is submitted; f. Test results and inspection reports are reviewed, and if requirements are met, a CoC certificate is issued.

(2) Registration before clearance: Product registration, inspection, and limited testing result in a registration certificate. This certificate cannot be used directly for clearance; each shipment requires applying for a one-time Kenya CoC certificate using this registration certificate. Notably, using this registration certificate to apply for a Kenya CoC certificate requires inspection every 2-3 months, with no inspection needed at other times. Timeline: Testing takes 1-2 weeks, applying for the registration certificate takes 1-2 weeks, applying for the clearance certificate takes 3-5 working days, and inspection takes half a day. The registration certificate is valid for one year.

This route is recommended for exporters frequently shipping products of the same quality. The procedure is as follows:

lProduct registration procedure: a. The exporter submits a registration application form; b. The office reviews the registration application submitted by the exporter and issues a registration certificate.

lCertificate application procedure for registered products: a. Submit a certificate application; b. Conduct cargo inspection by an assigned inspector; c. Perform random testing of the goods; d. Issue a Certificate of Conformity (CoC).

(3) Type approval certificate model: The resulting certificate is called a type approval certificate. This certificate also cannot be used directly for clearance; each shipment requires applying for a one-time Kenya CoC certificate using this type approval certificate. Similarly, using this type approval certificate to apply for a Kenya CoC certificate generally requires two inspections per year, with no inspection needed at other times, and includes factory audits.

This route is only applicable to manufacturers who can demonstrate a quality management system in their production/manufacturing process. This involves an audit of their production process and product manufacturing by an authorized PVoC service provider. This route is recommended for manufacturers with high frequency and/or large shipment volumes. The procedure is as follows:

lProduct license application procedure: a. The exporter submits a license application form; b. The license application submitted by the exporter is reviewed; c. Type testing of the product is conducted; d. Regular factory supervision is carried out according to ISO Guide 28 standards.

lCertificate application procedure for licensed products: a. Conduct random bulk cargo inspection by an assigned inspector; b. No cargo testing is required; c. Issue a Certificate of Conformity (CoC).

4. Certification Process

(1) The exporter submits an Import Declaration Form (IDF), which is applied for in Kenya;

(2) Packing list, proforma invoice, and a complete Request for Certificate (RFC) application form detailing the goods;

(3) Test reports from laboratories with CNAS 17025 accreditation;

(4) The authorized certification agency reviews the documents and approves the inspection, notifying the applicant;

(5) After document review, an assignment is arranged, and the inspection time is confirmed.

(6) After passing the inspection, the agency issues a draft certificate for the applicant to confirm promptly.

(7) Upon confirmation, the PVoC clearance certificate is issued.