PVOC PROGRAM

​The Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has introduced the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to Standards Program to ensure the quality of products, which must also meet health, safety and environmental standards for Kenyans.

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Basic Features

• Goods imported into Kenya require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

• CoC is a mandatory clearance document for each consignment

• Goods exempted from the program are still subject to KEBS destination inspection

• Exporter is liable for any legal or economic consequences arising for goods shipped without the cover of a COC

• Responsibility of compliance lies with the supplier/exporter

 

Kenya’s PVoC ensures goods meet mandatory safety, quality and security requirements, enables international trade, avoids delays in customs and reduces potential losses from the import of non compliant products. The key elements of a PVoC are:

• Physical inspection prior to shipment 

• Sampling, testing and analysis in accredited laboratories 

• Audit of product processes 

• Documentary check of conformity to regulations 

• Assessment of conformity to Kenyan Standards

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KEBS 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.

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Import Standardization Mark (ISM)

KEBS has developed and is set to implement, effective 1st August 2015, secure Quality Marks/ stickers complete with Track and Trace software. The objective of the project is 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.