Kenya PVOC certification

ROUTE A: Customs clearance certificate (COC) and inspection certificate for each batch (most of the goods are currently shipped in this way)

1. Application: The exporter contacts the PVOC office in the country where it is located and submits a completed application for certification (RFC) and the invoice of the batch of goods, or the Kenyan importer submits an import declaration form (IDF) and a copy of the invoice to start the PVOC process.

2. Testing/Inspection: 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 of the goods provided by the importer (for air transport, the certificate is allowed to be issued based on the invoice)

3. Certificate validity period: COC certificate is valid for 90 days and is only valid for the batch of goods. Food, medicine and chemicals can only use method a)

4. Issuance time: generally 5-10 working days after receiving the application materials and test report, excluding laboratory testing time. The testing time is determined by the commissioned laboratory.

ROUTE B: Product registration certificate + COC certificate for each batch of goods (if the same product is exported to Kenya multiple times, it is recommended to use method b)

1. Testing/application: 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 test reports and ISO9000 certificates issued by laboratories accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC standards. The PVOC Registration, Licensing/Certification Center reviews the documents submitted by the exporter and requires rectification if any problems are found. After confirming that the product meets the requirements, the PVOC Center will issue a product registration certificate.

2. Inspection and certification: When shipping, the exporter should submit a copy of the product registration certificate, the certification application form and the invoice of the goods to the PVOC office. The PVOC office will also inspect the goods, but only conduct sampling tests on individual batches. The exporter also needs to provide the final invoice of the goods. The PVOC office will issue the COC certificate after reviewing various documents.

3. Certificate validity period: The product registration certificate is valid for 1 year, and the product must continue to meet the registration requirements. If the product is modified, the modified product must also be modified accordingly.

ROUTE C: Product Type Approval (for manufacturers only)

1. If the product quality is stable after registration and continues to meet the compliance requirements for a long time, you can apply for a license from the PVOC Registration, Licensing/Certification Center. The PVOC Center will review the product test report and conduct additional tests if necessary. In addition, the factory's production facilities will be inspected. After the review of the above steps, the manufacturer will obtain a license for this type of product. In the future, when the product is exported, the manufacturer only needs to provide a certification application (RFC), a final invoice and a copy of the license, and the PVOC office can issue a certificate without the need for each inspection and product testing.

2. To monitor product compliance, the PVOC Office reserves the right to sample licensed products, but will notify the exporter in advance. If the product continues to meet the requirements, the license can be renewed annually, and the factory's production facilities will be supervised and inspected during the renewal. If the product is modified, re-registration must be applied for.