Introduction to PVOC Certification in Kenya
1) According to the decree of the Kenyan Government, the importer of your company must obtain the Product Compliance Certificate (COC), or CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY, before clearing the Customs from Kenya. Upon completion of inspection, the original COC certificate will be sent to the exporter by express mail. If you need to send it directly to the importer or other persons, please specify in the remarks column of this application form.
2) Please fill in this application form and its appendix faithfully, correctly and completely, including relevant information such as HS code and ICS code. It is the basic responsibility of the applicant to fill in the description of the goods and HS code correctly. Failure to properly fill in the description and/or HS code of the product will result in inconsistencies in on-site inspection/testing, thus preventing the issuance of COC. The applicant will still bear the relevant costs and leave a bad credit record. Once the goods are shipped to Kenya, they will also be required to make corrections and fined by the Kenyan authorities.
System of laws and regulations
In accordance with Chapter 496 of the Kenya Standards Act Cap 496 (lawsof Kenya) and the Quality Imports Order No. 78 issued in July 2005, the Kenya Standards Bureau (KEBS) began to implement pre-export standards on 29 September 2005 in order to ensure the quality of imported products and provide safety, health and environmental protection for Kenyan consumers. Compliance Verification Program (PVoC). Before the implementation of the PVoC plan, Kenya adopted the arrival certification system for imported goods, which could easily lead to delays in the arrival of goods. Moreover, KEBS would have to repatriate or destroy unqualified products in a non-polluting manner, which would impose additional burdens. Therefore, PVoC has been adopted since 2005 as a pre-shipment verification method.
Market access requirements
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) began to implement the Pre-Export Standard Conformity Verification Scheme (PVoC) on September 29, 2005. Products in the PVoC catalogue must obtain a CoC before shipment and be provided to Kenya Customs upon arrival, otherwise they will not be able to enter the country. In the absence of CoC, KEBS may decide to inspect the goods and impose a fine.
Certification mark
PVoC only issues CoC conformity certificates without certification marks. Institutional logo of Kenya Standards Bureau (KEBS).
Adopt standard
PVoC adopts Kenya Standard (KS Standard), but it is acceptable for testing reports issued in accordance with IEC International Standard as long as the substantive requirements of KS Standard are met.
National Mutual Recognition 8z3 Security Regulation and EMC Network
Because Kenya's electrical standards are based on IEC standards, Chinese manufacturers can fully use the second way of applying for PVoC, i.e. product registration, inspection and limited testing, in accordance with the experimental reports issued by domestic laboratories in accordance with IEC standards. In particular, CB test reports based on widely accepted IEC standards can be used not only for export to Kenya, but also for more than 40 other countries and regions.
PVoC Partially Controlled Product Scope
Standard Conformity verification plan PVoC covers 14 categories of electronic and electrical products, toys, automobiles, food, chemicals, textile and leather, furniture, building materials, second-hand products, etc. Detailed catalogues of mechanical and electrical products are shown in the table. PvoC authentication process
Step 1: Exporters submit Import Declaration Form (IDF), Formal Invoice and Complete Application Form Request for Certificate Form (RFC)
Step 2: The above application form should specify the goods and provide product quality documents such as test reports, technical parameters, quality management system certificates (if any).
Step 3: PVOC's nearest office identifies feasible implementation plans and applicable standards under the plan
Step 4: If testing is required, our company coordinates sampling and implements laboratory testing, which should be carried out in PvoC-approved laboratories.
Step 5: After completing the above steps, the on-site inspection will be carried out by the inspection company nearest to the inspection site, and all the expenses will be borne by the exporter.
Step 6: After the inspection is completed, the exporter submits the final documents (commercial invoices and packing list) to the PVoC office.
Step 7: Kenya PVoC Office issues Customs Clearance Certificate CoC (Registration Certificate and Formal Accreditation Certificate)
There are three certificates for PVoC certification
Mode a: Customs Clearance Certificate (COC) for each batch of inspection certificates
1. Application: Exporters contact PVoC offices in their countries to submit completed certification applications (RFC) and invoices for the formation of the goods, or Kenyan importers submit import declaration forms (IDF) and copies of invoices to start the PVoC process.
2. Testing/Inspection: The PVoC office inspects the cargo to confirm whether it meets the requirements of Kenya Standards/Technical Specifications and takes samples for testing. If the test results are qualified, the CoC certificate will be issued according to the final invoice of the importer (for air transportation, the certificate will be issued according to the formal invoice).
3. Certificate validity period: CoC certificate validity period is 90 days, only valid for the goods of this batch. Food, medicine and chemicals can only be used in mode a.
4. Licensing time: After receiving application materials and test reports, generally 5-10 working days, excluding laboratory test time, test time is decided by the entrusted laboratory.
Mode b: Product Registration Certificate + COC Certificate for each shipment
If the same product has been exported to Kenya many times, it is recommended to use mode b)
1. Testing/Application: Exporters apply to the PVoC Registration, Licensing/Certification Center to submit self-declarations that products conform to Kenya Standards/Technical Specifications or International Standards, and technical support such as product test reports and ISO9000 certificates issued by laboratories accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC standards.
