As a major trading power in East Africa, the Kenyan market offers unlimited business opportunities for many companies and products. However, in order to successfully enter the Kenyan market, companies have to face Kenya’s strict certification system for imported products – PVOC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards, Pre-Export Standard Conformity Verification) certification. This certification not only ensures the quality and safety of imported products, but also protects Kenyan manufacturers from unfair competition. It is an essential key to unlocking the East African market.
PVOC certification is a system implemented by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that requires all goods in the PVOC catalogue to have a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by a KEBS authorised body prior to shipment. This certificate is a mandatory document for customs clearance in Kenya. Without it, the goods cannot enter the country. It is therefore vital for companies wishing to enter the Kenyan market to obtain PVOC certification.
So how does one obtain PVOC certification in Kenya?
First, companies need to prepare relevant product information, including product instructions, declarations of conformity, test reports, etc. These materials are used to demonstrate that the product meets the Kenyan standards and requirements.
Secondly, the company needs to select a certification body from the list recognised by the Kenyan government and submit an application for COC certification. During the application process, the company must pay the relevant fees and conduct product inspections as required by the certification body.
Product inspection is a critical part of PVOC certification. The certification body will conduct sample inspections of the product to ensure that it meets Kenya’s quality, safety and environmental requirements. If the product inspection is qualified, the certification body will issue a CoC certificate and the company can clear customs.
After obtaining PVOC certification, the company can not only enter the Kenyan market smoothly, but also increase consumer confidence in the product and improve the product’s market competitiveness. At the same time, PVOC certification also helps to speed up the customs clearance of products at the port, reducing the risk of detention at the port and saving time and money for the company.
However, obtaining PVOC certification is not easy. Companies need to invest a lot of time and energy in preparing relevant documentation, conducting product testing, and communicating and coordinating with certification bodies. But it is these efforts that can help companies successfully open the door to the Kenyan market and gain more business opportunities.
In short, the Kenya PVOC certification is a must-have key to unlock the East African market. For companies wishing to enter the Kenyan market, it is essential to obtain this certification. Only by passing rigorous certification procedures and ensuring that products meet Kenyan standards and requirements can companies stand out in a fiercely competitive market and gain the trust and support of consumers.
