PCEC Congo Certification : Compliance Control Program

What is PCEC Compliance Certification for Congo ?

PCEC conformity certification is a system established by the Congolese Agency for Standardization and Quality (ACONOQ) to ensure the quality, safety and respect for the environment of products imported into Congo. This arrangement became an obligation for all goods concerned from 1 February 2024.

The PCEC certification process aims to confirm that imported products comply with Congolese technical standards and regulations, as well as with relevant regional or international standards. Exporters must therefore present evidence of conformity, provided either by accredited bodies, or directly by manufacturers' laboratories, or through specific tests.

Entities such as Cotecna or Bureau Veritas, mandated by ACONOQ, are responsible for issuing PCEC certification. They assess products by following one of the three channels determined by the exporter’s profile, the type of product and the regularity of shipments.

Obtaining certification of conformity assures importers, Congolese authorities and consumers that imported products meet the quality, safety and ecological criteria required by Congo. It also simplifies the customs clearance process, minimizing the risk of delays, penalties or refusals.

Which products are affected by the Congo PCEC conformity certification ?

Congo PCEC conformity certification is required for the majority of products imported into the country, with the exception of some specific items. These products must comply with the standards and technical regulations defined by ACONOQ, the Congolese Agency for Standardization and Quality.

ACONOQ, a public body, is responsible for defining, promoting and monitoring the quality of products and services in Congo. The PCEC initiative was developed by ACONOQ to protect consumers, the environment and public health, while supporting the country’s economic and social development.

Products subject to PCEC certification from Congo

Congo’s PCEC certification is mandatory for all imported products, whether new or used. Products that do not comply with current standards are prohibited from entering Congolese territory. Counterfeiting is also prohibited and may result in criminal sanctions.

Products exempt from PCEC certification from Congo

Some product categories are exempt from PCEC certification in Congo due to their low-risk nature or under special regimes. Exemptions include :

• Gold and other precious metals

• Gemstones

• Art objects

• Scrap metals

• Explosives, weapons, ammunition and other military equipment for use in the armed and police forces

• Fish, certain vegetables and fruit, fresh or chilled

• Live animals

• Plants and floriculture products

• Developed films

• Newspapers, periodicals, stamps, banknotes, cheque books, passports

• Used personal and household effects

• Personal gifts

• Postal parcels without commercial value and express couriers

• Commercial samples

• Crude or semi-refined oil

• Donations from foreign governments, international organizations to the State, foundations, charities and recognized public utilities

• Supplies imported by diplomatic and consular missions, international organizations for their own use

• Imports whose FOB value is less than one million (1,000,000) CFA francs or equivalent in another currency

• Mail parcels of e-commerce products

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Products exempted from Congo PCEC certification do not require a certificate of conformity for customs clearance, but must comply with existing administrative and customs formalities.

How do I get compliance certification for Congo ?

To secure the necessary compliance certification in Congo, it is essential to contact an entity accredited by ACONOQ, such as Bureau Veritas or Cotecna. These organizations are responsible for verifying that your products comply with the standards and technical regulations in force in Congo.

To obtain the necessary conformity certification in Congo, it is essential to contact an entity accredited by ACONOQ, such as Bureau Veritas or Cotecna. These bodies are responsible for verifying that your products comply with the standards and technical regulations in force in Congo.

Here are the steps to apply for your Congo compliance certification :

1. Complete and send an Application for Certification of Compliance (FDC) form to the organization of your choice. This form is available on the organization’s website.

2. Attach the necessary documents attesting to the conformity of your products. These documents include invoices, certificates of origin, quality certificates, test reports, etc. The complete list is available on the site of the selected organization.

3. Make payment of the certification fee, calculated according to the FOB value of your goods, the type of product and the chosen evaluation path. Details of the fees are available on the organization’s website.

4. Upon completion of the audit, you will receive the organization’s Certificate of Compliance (CoC). This electronic document, with a QR code and a unique reference number, must be printed and attached to your shipping documents.

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It is imperative to apply for conformity certification before shipping your goods and, at the latest, on the date of the bill of lading. Without a valid CoC, your goods may face delays, penalties, or be refused upon arrival in Congo.

What are the benefits of obtaining compliance certification for Congo ?

Compliance certification for Congo offers significant benefits for exporters, importers, authorities and consumers. It ensures that imported products comply with Congo’s technical standards and regulations, protecting health, safety and the environment, while supporting the country’s economic and social development.

The benefits for exporters

Compliance certification for Congo provides exporters with the following benefits :

• Ease of access to the Congolese market through the demonstration of compliance of products with local requirements.

• Improvement of brand image and competitiveness through the quality and safety of the products offered.

• Avoidance of delays, penalties or rejections on arrival in Congo through the presentation of a valid certificate of conformity.

• Optimization of production and logistics costs thanks to a fast and efficient service of mandated organizations.

The benefits for importers

Importers require compliance certification for Congo for the following reasons :

• Quality assurance, safety and environmental protection of their imported products, based on recognized technical standards and regulations.

• Facilitation of customs clearance of goods in Congo with a valid certificate of conformity.

• Building trust and satisfaction with their suppliers and customers.

• Contribution to the economic and social development of Congo by respecting the requirements of the PCEC program.

Benefits for authorities and consumers

Compliance certification for Congo provides authorities and consumers with the following benefits :

• Protecting the health and safety of consumers by preventing the entry of non-compliant, dangerous or counterfeit products.

• Environmental protection by preventing the entry of polluting or harmful products.

• Promotion of the conformity and quality of imported products, based on technical standards and regulations established by ACONOQ.

• Stimulating the economic and social development of the Congo by encouraging trade, industry and innovation.

Which organizations offer conformity certification for Congo ?

The conformity certification for Congo is provided by entities specially designated by ACONOQ, the Congolese Agency for Standardization and Quality. This government agency is responsible for the establishment, promotion and quality control of products and services in Congo.

Through the PCEC program, ACONOQ aims to protect consumers and the environment, preserve public health and support the economic and social development of the country.

Organizations mandated by the ACONOQ

To assess the conformity of imported products according to the standards and regulations in force in Congo, ACONOQ entrusted this mission to recognized international organizations :

Bureau Veritas

As a global leader in inspection, certification and laboratory testing, Bureau Veritas has been offering Congo-specific compliance verification services since 2022. With an international network of accredited offices and laboratories, Bureau Veritas supports exporters to Congo by issuing electronic certificates of conformity, equipped with a QR code and a unique reference number.

Cotecna

Cotecna, a global provider of inspection, certification and security services, has also been providing compliance verification services for Congo since 2024. Thanks to its technical expertise and local experience, Cotecna ensures the compliance of products imported into Congo, by issuing electronic certificates of conformity with a QR code and a unique reference number.

The selection criteria of the mandated bodies

To select the most appropriate agency for your needs, consider the following criteria :

• Geographical proximity : Choose an organization with an office or representative near you, to facilitate exchanges and follow-up of your file.

• Speed of service : Choose an organization that can process your request quickly, so as not to delay your shipment.

• Cost of service : Choose an organization that offers a competitive rate for compliance certification, based on the value, type and frequency of your imports.

• Quality of service : Make sure that the chosen organization guarantees a high quality service, compliant with the standards and regulations of the Congo and that it accompanies you effectively throughout the certification process.

What are the steps to obtain PCEC compliance certification for Congo ?

To obtain the PCEC certification required for Congo, it is imperative to use an organization authorized by ACONOQ, such as Bureau Veritas or Cotecna. These organizations assess whether your products meet the standards and regulations in force in Congo. Following this assessment, they will issue you a certificate of conformity (CoC), which is essential for the customs clearance of your products in the country.

The following are the steps for applying for certification :

1. Complete and submit the Application for Certification of Conformity (FDC) form to the organization of your choice. The form is available on the organization’s website.

2. Attach the necessary documents attesting to the conformity of your products. These documents include, but are not limited to, invoices, certificates of origin, quality certificates and test reports. The complete list of required documents is available on the organization’s website.

3. Pay the certification fee, calculated based on the FOB value of your goods, the type of product and the valuation method chosen. Details of the fees are available on the organization’s website.

4. Receive your certificate of conformity (CoC) from the organisation after it has confirmed the conformity of your products. The CoC is an electronic document with a QR code and a unique reference number, which you must print and include in your shipping documents.

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It is important to seek your compliance certification before shipping your goods and no later than the date of the bill of lading. Not having a valid CoC can lead to delays, penalties, or rejection of your goods upon arrival in Congo.

How much does PCEC certification cost for Congo ?

The price of the PCEC conformity certification for Congo is influenced by various factors, including the FOB value of your goods, the product category, the choice of the evaluation channel and the certification entity you decide to use. This cost includes registration, assessment and certification of conformity (CoC) fees.

Registration fees

For each certification application submitted, you must pay a fixed registration fee. This fee is 375€ per request for the first 15 products. Beyond that, an additional 20€ per additional product is required.

Valuation fees

The amount of the valuation fee depends on the FOB value of your items, their type and the selected valuation method. These fees are proportional to the FOB value of your goods and you can consult the details of the rates on the website of the certification body of your choice.

The costs of issuing the certificate of conformity

A fixed amount is to be provided for obtaining the certificate of electronic conformity, issued by the certification body. The cost is 50€ per certificate.

The total cost of obtaining PCEC compliance certification for Congo is the sum of the cost of registering, evaluating and issuing the certificate. Although variable, this total usually represents a small fraction of the overall cost of your shipment.

How long does it take to get compliance certification for Congo ?

The time required to obtain conformity certification for Congo varies depending on various elements, including the type of product, the method of evaluation selected, the availability of conformity documents and the responsiveness of the exporter. It includes the time required to process the application, the time required for conformity assessment, as well as the time required to issue the certificate of conformity (CoC).

The processing time of the application

The processing time of the application corresponds to the period necessary for the mandated body to receive, record and examine your application for conformity certification. This delay is influenced by the quality and completeness of the documents submitted, as well as the timeliness of payment of certification fees. The application usually takes 24 to 48 hours to process.

The time for conformity assessment

The conformity assessment time represents the period during which the mandated body examines whether your products comply with the standards and technical regulations in force in Congo. This period varies according to the type of product, the evaluation method selected and the availability of the documents required for the evaluation. Depending on whether the assessment involves documentary verification, physical inspection or laboratory testing, this time can range from a few days to several weeks.

The time of issue of the certificate of conformity

The time of issuance of the certificate of conformity is the period required for the mandated body to issue the electronic certificate of conformity after confirming that your products are compliant. This step depends on the exporter’s ability to quickly provide the necessary information and documents. The certificate is usually issued within 24 hours.

The total time to obtain the conformity certification for Congo is the sum of the different steps mentioned above. Although variable, this period is generally between 5 and 15 working days.

Do I need to renew the PCEC certification for Congo ?

For each shipment of goods to the Congo, a renewal of the PCEC conformity certification is required. This renewal involves the following steps :

1. Complete and submit the Compliance Certification Application (CoC) form via the website of the mandated body of your choice.

2. Attach the necessary documents attesting to the conformity of your products, such as invoices, certificates of origin, quality certificates and test reports. The complete list of documents is available on the website of the mandated organization.

3. Pay the certification fee, determined according to the FOB value of your goods, their type and the chosen valuation method. Details of the fees are available on the website of the mandated organization.

4. Receive the electronic certificate of conformity, with a QR code and a unique reference number, issued by the body after verification. This certificate must be printed and included with your shipping documents.

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It is important to renew your certification of conformity before sending your goods and at the latest on the date of the bill of lading. Without a valid certificate, your goods may face delays, penalties, or be refused upon arrival in the Congo.

The renewal of this certification ensures the compliance of your products with Congolese standards and technical regulations, thus contributing to the protection of health and public safety, the environment and support for the economic and social development of the Congo.