Zanzibar Island PVOC

All products exported to Kenya must meet the requirements of Pre Export Conformity Certification (PVoC) in Kenya

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According to the Standards Act Cap 496 of Kenya and the Quality Imports Order No. 78 issued in July 2005, in order to ensure the quality of imported products and provide protection for Kenyan consumers in terms of safety, health, environment, etc., the Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS) began implementing the Pre Export Standard Compliance Verification Program (PVoC) on September 29, 2005.

Prior to the implementation of the PVoC plan, Kenya implemented an arrival verification system for imported goods, but this could easily lead to delays in the arrival of goods at the port, and for unqualified products, KEBS would have to either repatriate them or destroy them in a non polluting manner, resulting in additional burdens. Therefore, PVoC, a pre shipment verification method, has been adopted since 2005.

Market access requirements

The Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS) began implementing the Pre Export Standard Compliance Verification Scheme (PVoC) on September 29, 2005. Products in the PVoC catalog must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before shipment and provide it to Kenyan customs upon arrival, otherwise they will not be able to enter the country. If there is no special case of CoC, KEBS may decide to inspect the batch of goods and impose a fine.

Scope of application

The PVoC standard compliance verification plan covers 14 categories including electronic and electrical products, toys, automobiles, food, chemicals, textiles and leather, furniture, building materials, and second-hand products.

PVoC Partially Controlled Product Catalog

HS code

8415，8418.10～8418.99

8421.1200，8422.11.00

8423.10.00，8423.81.00

8424.10.00，8424.81.00，8443

8447.20.20，8452.10.00，8467

8469，8470，8471，8472，8473

8476，8481，8482，8483，8484

Product Name

Air conditioner; Refrigerator; Various types of freezers and other refrigeration equipment; dryer; dishwasher; Human electronic scales include children's scales; Household scales and other weighing devices; Fire Extinguisher; Agricultural and horticultural spray (such as backpack sprayers); Printing equipment; Household sewing machine; Pneumatic, hydraulic, or handheld tools with independent motors or non electric drive motors; typewriter; Electronic calculator; Automatic data processor; Optical magnetic card reader; Data compilation and transcription processor (such as computer printers, etc.); Other office equipment and accessories; vending machine; Pipeline devices such as faucets and valves; Boiler shells, boxes, barrels, etc., including pressure reducing valves and temperature regulating valves; Ball and roller bearings, transmission shafts, washers, and similar joint devices

Certification process

PVoC includes the following key elements:

——Pre shipment inspection of goods;

——Conduct testing and evaluation in accredited laboratories;

——Review the production process of the product;

——Document compliance check;

——Review the compliance of test reports with standards.

There are three ways to obtain PVoC certification:

Method a): For each batch of goods, the exporter shall contact the PVoC office in the country where the goods are located for inspection and testing. They shall submit a completed certification application form (RFC) and the invoice for this batch of goods, or the Kenyan importer shall submit an import declaration form (IDF) and a copy of the invoice to initiate the PVoC process. The PVoC office inspects the goods to confirm whether they meet the requirements of Kenyan standards/technical specifications, and takes samples for testing. If the test results are qualified, a CoC certificate will be issued based on the final invoice provided by the importer (for air transportation, certificates can be issued based on formal invoices). The CoC certificate for method a) is valid for 90 days and is only valid for this batch of goods. Food, drugs, and chemicals can only be used in method a).

Method b): Product registration, inspection, and limited testing. If the same product is exported to Kenya multiple times, it is recommended to use Method b). Exporters apply to the PVoC registration, licensing/certification center, submitting a self declaration that the product complies with Kenyan standards/technical specifications or international standards, as well as technical support documents such as product testing reports and ISO 9000 certificates issued by laboratories accredited according to ISO/IEC standards. The PVoC registration, licensing/certification center will review the documents submitted by exporters, and if any issues are found, they will require rectification. After confirming that the product meets the requirements, the PVoC center will issue a product registration certificate. When shipping, the exporter should submit a copy of the product registration certificate, certification application, and formal invoice of the goods to the PVoC office. The PVoC office should also inspect the goods, but only conduct sampling tests on individual batches. The exporter also needs to provide the final invoice for the goods, and the PVoC office will issue a CoC certificate after reviewing various documents. The product registration certificate is valid for 1 year and the product must continuously meet the registration requirements. If the product has been modified, the modified product must also undergo corresponding modifications to the product registration certificate.

Method c): If the quality of the product is stable after registration and it continues to meet the compliance requirements for a long time, a license can be applied for from the PVoC registration, licensing/certification center. The PVoC center will review the test reports of the products and conduct supplementary tests if necessary. In addition, the production facilities of the factory will also be inspected. After the above steps of review, the manufacturer will obtain a license for this type of product. In the future, when exporting products, manufacturers only need to provide certification application forms (RFCs), final commercial invoices, and copies of licenses, and PVoC offices can issue certificates without the need for each inspection and product testing. To supervise the compliance of products, PVoC office reserves the right to randomly inspect licensed products, but will notify the exporter in advance. If the product continues to meet the requirements, the license can be renewed annually, and during the renewal, the factory's production facilities will be subject to supervision and inspection. If the product has been modified, a re registration application must be made.

Tips:

1. Grid voltage 230V, frequency 50HZ;

2. All second-hand vehicles must comply with KS 1515:2000 and other Kenyan standards or technical specifications;

3. Container goods need to undergo sealed inspection.

Kenya PVOC-COC Certificate Sample

Kenya's KEBS begins providing PVoC services for government agencies it collaborates with to regulate products

According to the government announcement OP/CAB9/83A issued by Kenya on June 4, 2019, in order to ensure that all products imported into Kenya strictly comply with national requirements, goods regulated by the following 11 government agencies will also begin to be controlled according to the Pre Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program implemented by the Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS). An Enriched CoC must be provided during customs clearance to demonstrate that the goods comply with relevant standards and technical regulations applicable in Kenya.

The control products and related requirements of the cooperating institutions can be referred to as follows: KEBS in Kenya has started providing PVoC services for its cooperating government agencies to regulate products

According to the government announcement OP/CAB9/83A issued by Kenya on June 4, 2019, in order to ensure that all products imported into Kenya strictly comply with national requirements, goods regulated by the following 11 government agencies will also begin to be controlled according to the Pre Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program implemented by the Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS). An Enriched CoC must be provided during customs clearance to demonstrate that the goods comply with relevant standards and technical regulations applicable in Kenya.

The control products and related requirements of cooperative institutions can refer to the following:

Partner Government Agencies ‘Regulated Products and Required Documentation

     1      Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK)

     1.1   Products Regulated by CAK

1.1   Documents Required

          i. Import Permits and Licenses issued by CAK

     2     Directorate of Veterinary Services(DVS)

     2.1  Products Regulated by DVS

1.1 Documents Required

       ii. Import Permits and Licenses issued by DVS

2    Fisheries Department

2.1 Products Regulated by Fisheries Department

2.2 Documents Required

        i. Import Permits and Licenses issued by Fisheries Department

3    Kenya Civil Aviation Authority(KCAA)

3.1 Products Regulated by KCAA

     4.2 Documents Required

        i. Import Permits and Licenses issued by KCAA

4    Kenya Maritime Authority(KMA)

4.1 Products Regulated by KMA

4.2 Documents Required

       i. Import Permits and Licenses issued by KMA

5    Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service(KEPHIS)

5.1 Products Regulated by KEPHIS

5.2   6.2 Documents Required for Inspection

i.  Import permit issued by KEPHIS

ii. Phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country

6    Mines and Geological Department(MGD)

6.1 Products Regulated by Mines and Geological Department

   7.2   Documents Required

          i. Import Permits and Licenses issued by MGD

7      Pest Control Products Board(PCPB)

7.1   Products Regulated by PCPB

7.2     Documents Required for Inspection

i.    Import(The permit issued under regulation 2(1) shall be valid for six(6) months from the date of issue

ii.   Certificate of Analysis for the pesticides being imported

iii.  Valid certificate of registration of the pest control products by PCPB

iv.  Well labeled pesticide packaging material or container shall include; but not limited to; Name and address of Manufacturer and Formulator, Country origin, Date of manufacturer, Expiry           date, Batch number Amount/quantity

v.   Provision of a ‘No Objection’ letter from the local agent of the product if importing a product not under agency ship

vi.  Evidence of appointed local agent in Kenya

8        Pharmacy and Poisson’s Board(PPB)

8.1     Products Regulated by PPB

8.2      Documents Required for Inspection

i.     Importer’s Valid License issued by PPB

ii.    Ethical Committee Approval Letter(only for controlled substances intended for scientific purposes such as clinical trials)

iii.   Import Permit Issued by PPB for pharmaceutical products

iv.   Permit for licit Narcotics, Psychotropic and Precursor substances issued by PPB

v.    Certificate(s) of Analysis(CoAs) of product(s)

vi.   Patient Information Leaflet(PIL) of pharmaceuticals

vii.  Well labeled medicaments shall include; but not limited to; Name and address of the Manufacturer, Country origin, Date of manufacturer, Expiry date, Batch number, Amount/quantity

viii. Minilab tests(Raman spectroscopy) CoA

Note: Quantities of the products being imported should tally with those allowed on the permit

8.3     Requirements for Pharmaceutical Inspectors

i.  Be a trained pharmacist who is duly registered in the country of practice

ii. Should be conversant with international drug control conventions

Note: the PVoC partner should have adequate laboratory infrastructure as spelt out in the WHO GOOD Practices for Pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratories, World Health Organization, 2010 Technical Report Series,No.957,Annex 1.

9      Radiation Protection Board(RPB)

9.1   Products Regulated by (RPB)

9.2   Documents Regulated by (RPB)

i.  Import permit issued by RPB

10     Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)

10.1  Products Regulated by (VMD)

10.2  Documents Required for Inspection

i.   A market authorization issued by the VMD

ii.  Valid Exporter Market Authorization License issued by VMD

iii. Exporter’s Valid Import License issued by VMD

iv. Licensed Local Technical Representative , if the exporter has no physical presence in Kenya

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