CBCA  certification

1.0 Overview

The Kurdistan authorities have started implementing the Goods Certification Assessment (CBCA) program for all controlled products exported to Kurdistan. The plan aims to verify whether the controlled products exported by the exporting country comply with Kurdistan national standards, regional standards, or internationally applicable standards and technical specifications before being exported to Kurdistan. The Certificate of Conformity issued by certification and testing agencies will be used to prove whether the controlled product complies with relevant regulations.

The Goods Certification Assessment (CBCA) program will be implemented from July 1, 2017, therefore, controlled products entering Kurdistan on or after that date will need to present a Certificate of Conformity at local ports or border crossings.

Controlled products arriving at Kurdistan ports or borders without a Certificate of Conformity will require 100% inspection and stricter sampling. The compliance assessment process for such goods at Kurdistan ports and borders may result in longer detention of such goods, which may lead to overdue fees. Unless the goods have successfully passed the relevant compliance assessment process, such goods will not be temporarily cleared and transported into Kurdistan.

2.0 Controlled Products

The list of regulated products is as follows:

● Building products toys

Electrical and electronic equipment

Cars, bicycles, tires, and spare parts

● Building products

● Home hardware

● Kitchen utensils

Household kitchenware and water heaters

● Stationery

● Measuring equipment

● Baby care products

Jewelry (excluding precious metals, gold, silver, and imitations)

● Medical equipment

3.0. Basic Requirements for Kurdistan CBCA Certification Program

3.1. Request for Certification (RFC)

3.1.1. Exporters should submit certification applications for controlled products, along with relevant qualification documents.

3.1.2. Standard certification application forms can be used to submit the application, or exporters can choose the following options:

3.1.2.1 Long term certification application

3.1.2.2 ASTRA Trading Port Application

3.1.2.3 Sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with NormalTCI Nuomo Testing.

3.2. Application materials/testing:

3.2.1 Controlled products must have qualified application materials.

3.2.2 The application materials should meet the necessary requirements and demonstrate that the product complies with relevant national standards, international standards, or any existing technical regulations.

3.2.3 If the exporter is unable to provide valid and acceptable application materials, the exporter shall provide relevant products for testing.

3.3. Inspection of goods

3.3.1 Verify relevant labeling, appearance, and instruction manual requirements through inspection, while ensuring that the products to be exported are consistent with those listed on the invoice/certification application.

3.3.2 All goods that have not obtained a registration certificate/certificate must undergo on-site inspection, while goods that have obtained a registration certificate/certificate may choose to undergo random inspection.

3.3.3 The inspection results will be recorded through reports or inspection requirements lists.

4.0. Goods authentication pathway

The Goods Certification Assessment (CBCA) program offers three certification pathways - Pathway A, Pathway B, and Pathway C. Exporters can choose any certification path based on their actual situation.

4.1. Route A - No registration certificate/No registration certificate

This certification pathway is applicable to traders/exporters with low export frequency and small shipment volume to Kurdistan. According to certification pathway A, controlled products exported to Kurdistan must undergo testing and inspection to demonstrate compliance with relevant standards. After the exporter successfully passes the testing and inspection, a Certificate of Conformity will be issued to the exporter.

4.2. Route B - Registration Certificate

This approach is suitable for exporters who export frequently and in large quantities to Kurdistan. Route B provides a more efficient certification process for goods, while maintaining a reasonable level of quality and safety through product registration before export. The registered products applicable to this certification pathway are not subject to mandatory testing for each type of goods. Selective implementation of physical inspection provides certification. If the product needs to be registered, the exporter may need to successfully obtain three goods certifications through route A. Product certification is a pre validation process for goods, in order to ensure that the product meets relevant requirements, the product technical evaluation involved must comply with applicable standards and regulatory requirements. However, in order to ensure compliance with requirements throughout the product registration period, it is still necessary to randomly test the registered products. The registration certificate is valid for one year.

Regardless, registering products requires presenting a Certificate of Conformity for smooth customs clearance at Kurdistan ports/borders.

4.3. Route C - Registration Certificate

Route C is applicable to manufacturers/authorized distributors who frequently and extensively export goods to Kurdistan. Registered products that adopt this approach are exempt from mandatory testing and inspection. Pathway C provides an efficient tracking and certification process for manufacturers who meet registration standards and whose manufacturing facilities currently have compliant and appropriate quality management systems. This certification process will conduct a detailed evaluation of whether the product meets the relevant standards of Kurdistan, factory audits, and regular supervision, based on which a registration certificate will be issued to the product. Goods certificates may be provided based on selective physical inspection results. However, to ensure that the product always meets the requirements during the license period, it is still necessary to conduct random sampling tests on licensed products. The registration certificate is valid for one year.

However, regardless of the circumstances, registering products for smooth customs clearance at Kurdistan ports/borders requires presenting a Certificate of Conformity.

5.0. Goods authentication process

5.1 Approach A:

According to route A, the controlled products to be shipped must undergo compliance verification and physical inspection to demonstrate compliance with relevant Kurdistan standards and necessary requirements. The authentication process is as follows:

5.1.1 Exporters submit certification application (RFC)

Exporters should submit a certification application to NormalTCI Nuomo Testing, along with the following materials/documents:

5.1.1.1 Product Parameters or Explanation of Product Usage

5.1.1.2 Technical specifications provided by the product manufacturer, if possible.

5.1.1.3 User Manual/Instructions, if possible

5.1.1.4 Production related information (such as batch number/size, manufacturer's name, production date/expiration date, and various qualification documents of the manufacturer)

5.1.1.5 Formal Invoice/Commercial Invoice

5.1.1.6 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification/Compliance Certificate/Safety Certificate/National Approval

5.1.1.7 Authorization letter, if possible

5.1.1.8 Third party testing report, if possible

5.1.1.9 Transport documents (bill of lading/airway bill/CMR), if possible

5.1.1.10 Certificate of Origin

Attention: The quality and completeness of the above information will directly affect the time and cost required to process certification orders/applications, and will directly affect the assessment of risks. If the goods to be certified are considered low-risk goods, then filling out the certification application correctly and completely and immediately available for certification work can simplify the inspection process.

5.1.2 NormalTCI evaluates the certification application/documentation submitted by exporters

The submitted documents and materials will be evaluated in order to:

5.1.2.1 Verify the completeness of application documents and materials

5.1.2.2 Determine necessary requirements, appropriate standards, and testing requirements

5.1.2.3 If the exporter submits a testing report, the compliance level shall be determined based on the necessary testing requirements that have been identified.

5.1.2.4 Determine product risk profile (determine intervention level).

5.1.3 NormalTCI provides evaluation results for certification applications/documentation submitted by exporters

According to the evaluation, NormalTCI will reply within 48 hours after the exporter submits the certification application, providing the following evaluation results (if any):

5.1.3.1 Are there any omissions in the document materials (if any)

5.1.3.2 Whether the test report is inaccurate/incomplete (if any)

5.1.3.3 Any other requirements related to Goods Certification Assessment (CBCA).

NormalTCI will determine the inspection date within 5 days after receiving the certification application.

5.1.4 Designated inspector to carry out goods inspection

The inspector will focus on the following important inspection details:

5.1.4.1 Identification

5.1.4.2 Packaging

5.1.4.3 Instruction manual (if applicable)

5.1.4.4 Product shelf life (if relevant)

5.1.4.5 Whether it matches the packing list and invoice/certification application

After the inspection is completed, the inspector will issue a report detailing the inspection results and providing comments or suggestions. As part of the inspection process, the inspector will take photos and evidence of the inspected goods to ensure that the inspection work covers important specific content, such as product name, type, appearance, and unique identification marks.

After the inspection is completed, a copy of the inspection report should be immediately issued to the exporter/exporter's on-site representative. Any discrepancies discovered during the inspection process should be immediately reported to the exporter/exporter's on-site representative in a discrepancy report to alert them.

5.1.5 Goods Inspection

If a valid testing report is not submitted during the certification application process, NormalTCI should advise the exporter to test the product according to the required standards. The testing will be conducted based on the key items identified in the confirmation criteria. Only test samples in laboratories that meet the following criteria:

5.1.5.1 Any laboratory certified by government agencies

5.1.5.2 Certified independent laboratory that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 standards

5.1.5.3 Any non accredited laboratory, including tests witnessed by NormalTCI Nomo Testing representatives at the manufacturer's laboratory (such tests are limited to accredited laboratories without testing capabilities).

If it is not possible to conduct testing in a convenient manner (if the same product has multiple different models, low value goods, decomposed machinery, etc.), the testing work can be changed to evaluate the following documentation:

5.1.5.4 Testing report provided by the manufacturer

5.1.5.5 Certification plan for internationally recognized safety/compliance markings/national approvals (e.g. CE markings).

5.1.5.6 Relevant quality management system certification.

5.1.6 Issue the Final Certification Document

After receiving the inspection report and testing evaluation documents, a certification decision will be made within three working days after receiving the required valid documents and relevant certifications (such as a "Certificate of Conformity" or "Unclean Report") will be issued.

Note: If testing is necessary, the final decision on product compliance will only be made after the testing is completed.

5.2 Route B:

The authentication steps for pathway B are as follows:

5.2.1 Submitting an Authentication Request (RFC)

Exporters should submit a certification application (RFC) to NormalTCI Nuomo Testing, accompanied by the following documents:

5.2.1.1 Valid "Registration and Filing Declaration" for the goods to be shipped

5.2.1.2 Formal Invoice/Commercial Invoice

5.2.1.3 Certificate of Origin

NormalTCI will evaluate the above documents and materials to determine the validity of the Registration and Filing Statement. Inspect the goods within three days from the date of receiving the certification application and valid documentation, unless otherwise requested by the exporter/supplier.

Attention: Spot checks may be applicable based on the ongoing compliance status of registered products. If spot checks are required, exporters will accept random inspections instead of inspecting each item individually.

5.2.2 Goods inspection by designated inspector

The inspector will conduct random inspections according to the inspection requirements. The inspection work will focus on the identification, packaging, product shelf life (if applicable), consistency with the packing list and invoice/certification application, and compliance with physically verifiable product requirements.

The inspector may take samples and properly label the packaging where the samples are located.

After the inspection is completed, the inspector will provide a report detailing the inspection results and any notes or suggestions. As part of the inspection process, the inspector will take photos of the inspected goods to ensure that the inspection work covers important details such as product name, type, and appearance; Unique identification marks, etc.

5.2.3 Random cargo inspection

The testing will be conducted based on the key items identified in the confirmation criteria. Only test samples in laboratories that meet the following criteria:

5.2.3.1 Any laboratory certified by government agencies

5.2.3.2 Certified independent laboratory that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 standards

5.2.3.3 Any non accredited laboratory, including tests witnessed by NormalTCI representatives at the manufacturer's laboratory (such tests are limited to accredited laboratories without testing capabilities).

Attention: If the goods require random inspection, the exporter will be informed. However, the certification decision for goods as random testing samples does not depend on the results of random testing. The random inspection report will be useful for the certification decision of subsequent goods.

5.2.4 Issue the Final Certification Document

After receiving the inspection report and testing evaluation documents, a certification decision will be made within three working days after receiving the required valid documents and relevant certifications (such as a "Certificate of Conformity" or "Unclean Report") will be issued.

5.3 Route C:

The authentication steps for pathway C are as follows:

5.3.1 Submitting an Authentication Request (RFC)

Exporters should submit a Certification Request (RFC) form and the following documents to NormalTCI Nuomo Testing:

5.3.1.1 Valid license for goods to be shipped

5.3.1.2 Formal Invoice/Commercial Invoice

5.3.1.3 Certificate of Origin

NormalTCI will evaluate the above documents and materials to determine the validity of the relevant licenses, and conduct inspections within 1 day from the date of receiving the certification application and valid documents and materials. According to pathway C, NormalTCI Nomo testing can be performed without routine testing and inspection. However, NormalTCI reserves the right to conduct random inspections on registered goods by issuing advisory notices to exporters. The designated inspector will conduct random inspections on the products, including random inspections on the relevant goods.

5.3.2 Random cargo inspection

The testing will be conducted based on the key items identified in the confirmation criteria. Only test samples in laboratories that meet the following criteria:

5.3.2.1 Any laboratory certified by government agencies

5.3.2.2 Certified independent laboratory that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 standards

5.3.2.3 Any non accredited laboratory, including tests witnessed by NormalTCI Nomo Testing representatives in the manufacturer's laboratory (such tests are limited to accredited laboratories without testing capabilities).

5.3.3 Issue the Final Certification Document

After receiving the inspection report and testing evaluation documents, a certification decision will be made within three working days after receiving the required valid documents and relevant certifications (such as a "Certificate of Conformity" or "Unclean Report") will be issued.

6.0. Other requirements

6.1 Identification/Labeling

The following markings should be in Arabic or English:

Identification needs to be marked on the product itself or directly on the sales packaging.

6.2 Country of Origin

The country of origin abbreviation is only applicable to the following countries:

European Union (EU): applicable to any member state of the EU

United Kingdom (UK): United Kingdom of Great Britain

United States (USA): United States of America

China (PRC): People's Republic of China

7.0. NormalTCI Nuomo Testing and Certification Solution

NormalTCI uses a product conformity assessment program, which has been adopted in many countries and regions around the world to prevent dangerous and unsafe goods from entering the local market.

7.1. Global Office Network

NormalTCI has been conducting projects such as the Goods Certification Assessment (CBCA) program for many years through a global office network; Meanwhile, NormalTCI also has a technically reliable laboratory network to enhance product testing work, and can comply with national standards, regional standards, and international standards.

7.2. Employees are dedicated and dedicated, possessing profound industry knowledge and technical expertise

NormalTCI provides certification service solutions for various export products to Kurdistan, and has accumulated rich industry experience. NormalTCI's testing staff not only have a professional understanding and knowledge of various national and international standards and technical rules, but also understand the requirements of importers and exporters.

7.3. Pay utmost attention to customer satisfaction

NormalTCI can quickly and efficiently provide customized services to customers to meet their special needs, including:

7.3.1 Online submission of authentication application

7.3.2 Automatically sending emails to inform customers of authentication status

7.3.3 Provide flexible certificate delivery solutions for customers with large export volumes.

Please consult NormalTCI for specific questions

National service hotline: 400-6177-880

Email：service@normaltci.com