(CAP)-Kenya COC
PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) for Exports to Kenya
To assure Kenyan consumers of the safety and quality of the imported goods they buy, and to protect Kenyan manufacturers from unfair competition, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), a statutory organisation of the government of Kenya, has implemented guidelines called the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to Standards Programme for exports to Kenya.
DASH inspect as per the PVoC programme on KEBS behalf in regions such as parts of Europe including the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, China Region including Hong Kong and Taiwan, India Subcontinent including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Far East Asia countries, Australasia, The Americas, Southern Africa,Western Central Africa, UAE and the Middle East and Maghreb Countries.
Previously on 1st December 2015 KEBS further expanded the regulated product list to include all products except those exempted below:
- Goods already regulated by other government agencies such as the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS), Pest Control and Products Board (PCPB).
- CKD for vehicles imported by registered manufacturers
- Primary inputs imported by registered manufacturers subject to proof that the materials are direct inputs to the manufacturing process and the finished products made out of the said raw materials are certified by KEBS.
- Manufacturing plants and industrial spares for own use imported by registered manufacturers.
- Printed matter (textbook, magazines)
- Products certified by KEBS under the Diamond Mark Scheme
- Courier shipments through JKIA (Airport) which are currently cleared under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KEBS and Courier Industry Association of Kenya (CIAK).
KEBS Responsibilities
The Kenya PVoC to Standards Programme is a conformity assessment and verification procedure applied to regulated Goods/Products in the respective exporting countries, to ensure that they comply with the applicable Kenyan Technical Regulations and Mandatory Standards or approved equivalents.
The primary objective of applying Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to Standards Programme is:
- Ensure quality of products, health and safety
- Protect the environment for Kenyans
- Meet requirements of the Kenya PVoC
All consignments which are subject to the Kenya PVoC must obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by an authorised PVoC Agent, such as Intertek, prior to shipment.
The CoC is a mandatory document for Customs Clearance in Kenya; consignments arriving at Kenyan Ports without this document will be denied entry into the country.
In exceptional cases, and at the sole discretion of KEBS, specific consignments may be allowed to undergo destination inspections after receiving the appropriate application from importers. Such consignments will be subject to a penalty of 15% of the CIF value of the goods, plus 15% bond, and the testing and inspection costs. All other expenses incurred at destination will be borne solely by the importer.
The key elements undertaken in the PVoC are:
- Physical inspection prior to shipment
- Sampling, testing and analysis in accredited laboratories
- Quality Audit of production processes
- Documentary review of conformity with regulations
- Issuance of Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or Non Conformity Report (NCR) as appropriate.
Importers and Exporters Responsibilities
Exporters and importers are responsible for ensuring that their products and shipments fully comply with the Kenya PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards Programme) and obtain the mandatory PVoC certificate of conformity.
Responsibilities of:
Importers in Kenya
Ensure their suppliers understand the import quality requirements and that their consignments are accompanied by a Kenya PVoC Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from an authorised PVoC Agent
Ensure their products or goods meet the regulations and quality requirements of the Kenya PVoC before shipment by obtaining the necessary Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from an authorised PVoC Agent for all products subject to the PVoC programme.
KEBS: Ensures that only quality goods gain entry into the country, as specified by the Standards Act Cap 496, Laws of Kenya and the Quality Imports Order No.78 July 2005, thereby offering the necessary protection to Kenya's consumers in safety, health and environmental matters.
Routes of Certification
Route A - Occasional Exports
- No registration
- Testing and Inspection
- Issuance of CoC
Route B - Frequent Exporters
- Product registration
- Inspection and random testing
- Issuance of CoC
Route C - Frequent Exporters and High Volume Manufacturers
- Product licensing
- Licence review and random testing
- Issuance of CoC
- Intertek can provide a tailor-made service that meets your particular needs, including:
- Submission of assessment requests online
- Automated e-mails for status of certificates
- Flexible certificate delivery solutions for high volume users
Additional Information for Exporters of Wood Packaging Material
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) have announced that all shipment packaging material made up of wood and wooden packaging material such as planks, crates that is imported into Kenya shall be adequately treated and marked in line with the International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measure (ISPM) No. 15 requirements. Failure to do so may result in shipments facing delays at Kenyan Customs.
A copy of the KEPHIS memo issued to all Kenyan Importers is available within the Resources section on the right of this page.
Routes to obtaining the PVoC Certificate
Route A - Occasional Exports
Route B - Frequent Exporters
Route C - Frequent Exporters and High Volume Manufacturers
Kenya Import Standardization Mark (ISM)
KEBS Mark of Quality
Standardization Mark
This is a mandatory product certification scheme for locally manufactured products provided for under section 10 of the Standards Act Cap 496, Laws of Kenya. To acquire the mark, manufactured goods are expected to meet quality requirements as specified in the various Kenya/Approved Standards. A permit to use a Standardization Mark is issued to a firm to certify that a particular product conforms to requirements in a Standard.
Diamond Mark of Quality
The Diamond Mark of Quality (also referred to as D-Mark) is a voluntary product certification scheme operated by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). It is a mark of excellence awarded to manufacturers (either based locally or abroad) which has demonstrated high degree of excellence in product manufacturing and quality. D-Mark permit holders thus qualify automatically for the standardization mark (SM) without any additional payments. The permit to use the mark is valid for period of three years subject to satisfactory quality performance and full compliance to other contractual obligations signed between KEBS and the permit holder.
Import Standardization Mark of Quality
KEBS developed and implemented secure Quality Marks/ stickers complete with Track and Trace software since 1st August 2015. The objective of the project was to deal with rampant faking of KEBS Quality Marks and provide a platform through which KEBS will be able to carry out on-field real-time validation and verification of goods bearing its Quality Marks. The system will also provide an online platform for consumers to directly authentic the validity of certification of goods before purchase.
The first phase of the project targets ALL imported products intended for sale in the local market. All importers of the aforementioned goods will be required to purchase Import Standardization Mark (ISM) stickers directly from KEBS. Importers will be required to apply for ISM by submitting Copies of Certificate of Conformity, Import Declaration Form and Customs Entry to KEBS.
Fortification Mark of Quality
Food fortification is the addition of one or more vitamin and/or mineral to a food (usually referred to as food vehicle) to correct or prevent a demonstrated micronutrient deficiency. It is one of the four key cost effective strategies recommended by WHO in curbing micronutrient deficiency.
The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation through a Legal Notice no. 62 of 15th June 2012 has therefore declared it mandatory to fortify the following food products;
- Wheat Flour – with Zinc and Iron
- Dry Milled Maize Products- with Zinc and Iron
- Salt- with Iodine
- Vegetable Fats and Oils- with vitamin A
Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation has subsequently signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with KEBS to administer the Food Fortification Logo and certification of products which fulfil the requirements of the relevant Kenya Standard with respect to Fortification. An applicant for the food fortification logo must have a valid Standardization Mark or Diamond Mark for the food vehicle.
Any manufacturer applying for Fortification logo must have acquired the S-Mark in accordance with KEBS procedures
The price of acquiring this mark is Kes. 10,000 per product per brand.