Entering African Markets: The Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

A CoC (Certificate of Conformity) is the document showing, under import regimes, that a shipment meets the technical requirements of the destination country. It is not a single scheme but the output of PVoC and similar programmes.

The certificate is issued by a body authorised by the destination country; the application is made by the exporter and matched with the importer's details.

• Test reports and the technical file
• The shipment invoice and bill of lading
• Importer details
• The pre-shipment inspection report

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• A manufacturer's own declaration of conformity does not take the place of a CoC
• Only a body authorised by the destination country can issue the certificate
• Certificate information must match the invoice and bill of lading
• Presenting it at customs is mandatory

1. 01The certificate of conformity and the product certificateA certificate of conformity is specific to the shipment and a product certificate to the product. A product certificate does not take the place of the shipment certificate but makes obtaining it easier.
2. 02The certificate and product registrationProduct registration or a facility licence shortens the process of obtaining the certificate; without registration, physical inspection and testing come into play for every consignment.
3. 03An authorised body and an accredited bodyAccreditation alone is not sufficient; the body must be authorised for that programme by the destination country's authority.
4. 04The content of the certificate and the shipping documentsAn inconsistency between the invoice, the bill of lading and the certificate gives rise to objection at customs; the three are checked together.

This page describes entry into the Africa (PVoC) market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.

This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.