Exporting products to Morocco involves knowing the country’s verification of conformity (VoC). This program, essential to ensure the quality and safety of imported goods, is an essential step for those wishing to enter the Moroccan market. VoC Morocco is designed to protect local consumers while simplifying trade.
Compliance verification for Morocco is essential to ensure that imported products meet the quality and safety standards required by Moroccan regulations. This approach aims to protect consumers in Morocco from the risks associated with dangerous or substandard products. It also aims to safeguard the local industry from unfair competition and counterfeiting.
Since February 1, 2020, this audit has become mandatory, under Law 09-24 and orders 212-02 and 13-3873. It concerns all imported industrial products subject to national technical regulations or a mandatory Moroccan standard.
You can consult the list of products concerned on the website of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green Economy and Digital (MICEVN).
The verification procedure may take place either in the country of export or on arrival in Morocco, depending on the product. For pre-shipment inspections, an approved body (such as Intertek, Bureau Veritas or TÜV Rheinland) carries out the inspection and issues a certificate of conformity, necessary for customs clearance in Morocco. If the inspection is done on arrival, it is carried out by the competent authorities at the Moroccan border crossings.
Verification of Conformity (VoC) for Morocco is required for all imported industrial products that must comply with national technical regulations or mandatory Moroccan standards. These products are divided into three categories, depending on the level of risk they pose to health, safety and the environment.
Category A products are those that pose a high risk to health, safety and the environment. They must undergo a compliance check in the country of export prior to shipment.
The list of Category A products includes, but is not limited to :
Category B products are those that pose a moderate risk to health, safety and the environment. The verification of conformity can be done in the country of export or on arrival in Morocco, depending on the choice of the importer.
The list of Category B products includes, but is not limited to :
Category C products are those that pose a low risk to health, safety and the environment. They are generally exempt from compliance verification, unless the Moroccan authorities decide otherwise.
The list of Category C products includes, but is not limited to :
To determine the category of your product, visit the website of IMANOR, the Moroccan Institute of Standardization. This official body is responsible for standardization, certification of conformity of goods to standards, publication and dissemination of standards, training on standards and representation of Morocco in international and regional standardization organizations.
To ensure that your products comply with Moroccan standards, it is essential to follow the procedure established by the Verification of Conformity (VoC) of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green and Digital Economy (MICEVN). The method to adopt depends on the categorization of your product in A, B or C, as explained above.
Category A products, considered high risk, must undergo a compliance check in the country of export prior to shipment. To do this, submit an application for a certificate of conformity to an approved body such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek or TÜV Rheinland, which has a representation in your country.
The application must include :
The approved body will then carry out the conformity verification of your product through a document review, risk analysis, testing, physical inspection and facilitation procedures. If your product meets Moroccan standards and regulations, you will receive a certificate of conformity necessary for customs clearance in Morocco, accompanied by the required documents (invoice, certificate of origin, etc.).
For products of category B, of moderate risk, the conformity verification can be carried out either in the country of export or on arrival in Morocco, according to the choice of the importer. The procedure is the same as for category A products if the verification is done before the export.
In case of verification on arrival in Morocco, make sure that your product is accompanied by a declaration of conformity proving compliance with Moroccan standards and regulations. The documents to be provided are identical to those requested for category A.
Upon arrival, your product will be inspected by the competent authorities at Moroccan border crossings via testing, inspections or audits. If compliant, customs clearance may take place. In case of non-compliance, the product may be refused, seized, destroyed or returned.
As for low-risk category C products, compliance verification is not systematically required, unless the Moroccan authorities decide otherwise. It is nevertheless advisable to ensure that your product complies with Moroccan standards and technical regulations. The usual documents for customs clearance (invoice, certificate of origin, etc.) must be provided.
Obtaining a compliance check for Morocco offers multiple benefits to companies wishing to export their products to that country. This ensures that :
By obtaining a compliance check, your products will be guaranteed to comply with Moroccan standards and regulations, thus avoiding delays, refusals and sanctions during customs clearance. This allows you to save time and money while improving your competitiveness in the Moroccan market.
Compliance verification demonstrates your commitment to offering quality and secure products, thus strengthening the trust and loyalty of your customers and partners. This enhances your reputation and brand image, distinguishing you from the competition.
By complying with the requirements, you help protect the health, safety and environment of Moroccan consumers. You also support local industry by fighting unfair competition and counterfeiting. Your commitment to compliance verification reflects your social and environmental responsibility, contributing to Morocco’s sustainable development.
To ensure the conformity of products imported into Morocco, it is essential to turn to an organization approved by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green Economy and Digital (MICEVN), the entity in charge of the Verification of Conformity (VoC) in the country. Several organizations, varied according to the type of product and the country of origin, are authorized to provide this service. Some of the key accredited organizations include :
Recognized globally for its inspection, certification and laboratory testing services, Bureau Veritas has been designated by the Moroccan government to perform compliance verification of imported products since December 16, 2019. With an extensive network of offices and laboratories in more than 140 countries, Bureau Veritas ensures a local service and a high responsiveness to its customers. In addition, the organization offers facilitation services such as document management, shipment tracking and regulatory advice.
Intertek, a global player in the field of product quality and safety, has also been mandated by Morocco since 16 December 2019 for compliance verification. With more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, Intertek guarantees extended coverage to its customers. Their services include consulting, training, auditing and certification.
As a provider of technical, security and certification services, TÜV Rheinland plays a key role in compliance verification in Morocco, having received this responsibility since 16 December 2019. With a network of more than 500 locations in 69 countries, TÜV Rheinland offers both local and international expertise. Their services include inspection, consulting, testing and certification.
This list is not exhaustive. For a complete list of accredited organizations, visit the MICEVN website. For additional information on Moroccan standards and technical regulations, the Moroccan Institute of Standardization (IMANOR) is also at your disposal.
To acquire a VoC (Verification of Conformity) for Morocco, follow these essential steps, adapted to the category of your product and the chosen verification method :
Follow the same process as for Category A products
Category B products, verification on arrival in Morocco
For more information on the compliance verification procedure for Morocco, consult the websites of approved organizations such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or TÜV Rheinland, as well as the website of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green Economy and Digital. For any question on Moroccan standards and technical regulations, IMANOR (Moroccan Institute of Standardization) remains at your disposal.
The price of a conformity check for Morocco varies according to several criteria : the type of product, the verification method used, the quantity and value of the goods, as well as the selected verification body. It is essential to consider two categories of costs :
These fees are those imposed by the verification body to perform the conformity examination of your product, whether in the country of export or upon arrival in Morocco. The amount of these fees depends on the chosen organization, the type of product, the verification method, as well as the number of tests, inspections or audits required. The prices can be viewed directly on the websites of approved organisations such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek or TÜV Rheinland.
Typically, verification fees range from USD 315 to USD 2500 per shipment, depending on the type of product.
Facilitation fees are the costs charged by the verification body to assist the exporter in the compliance verification process, by providing services such as documentation management, shipment tracking, or regulatory advice. These fees also vary depending on the verification body, the type of product, the verification method, and the quantity and value of the goods.
Tariffs for facilitation services can also be found on the websites of the accredited bodies. Generally, they represent between 0.5% and 1% of the FOB (Free On Board) value of the shipment, with a minimum amount of 150 USD and a maximum of 1000 USD per shipment.
It is important to note that verification and facilitation costs are borne by the exporter. These costs must be paid before dispatch or upon receipt of the certificate of conformity, in accordance with the terms of the approved body. Additional fees may apply in case of product non-compliance, specific requests, delays, etc.
We recommend that you check with the approved body of your choice before initiating the compliance verification procedure for Morocco.
The time required to acquire a conformity check for Morocco varies depending on the type of product, the verification method, the selected certification body and the availability of the necessary documents and samples. There are two key periods to consider :
This period represents the time required by the certification body to examine the conformity of your product, whether the assessment takes place in the country of export or upon arrival in Morocco. This time varies depending on the organization selected, the type of product, the verification method used, and the number of tests, inspections or audits required.
Specific deadlines for each certification body can be found on their websites, including Bureau Veritas, Intertek or TÜV Rheinland. Typically, the verification period ranges from 3 to 10 working days, depending on the nature of the product.
This period concerns the time required for the certificate of conformity to be sent by the certification body, once your product is deemed compliant. This time depends on the receipt of the required documents and samples, as well as the payment of the verification fee. The deadlines for issuing certificates by different bodies can also be found on their websites.
As a general rule, the deadline for receiving the certificate of conformity is 1 to 2 working days after the conclusion of the verification.
It is essential to emphasize that the deadlines mentioned are average estimates that may vary according to the specificities of each shipment. It is therefore recommended to contact the certification body of your choice as soon as possible to arrange the necessary conformity verification for Morocco and thus avoid any delay or complication during customs clearance.
The VoC (Verification of Conformity) is essential to prove that your products comply with the standards and technical regulations of Morocco. This document, essential at the time of customs clearance, is valid for a single shipment. Thus, for each export to Morocco, a renewal of the VoC is necessary.
However, exceptions exist, allowing to overcome the renewal of the VoC in some cases, through a simplified procedure or an exemption. Let’s look at these situations :
The simplified process streamlines the VoC renewal process if the following conditions are met :
To benefit from this procedure, submit a simplified application to the approved body, including :
The exemption relieves you of the need to provide a certificate of conformity if :
For this exemption, send an application along with :
You will then receive a certificate of exemption instead of the certificate of conformity.
For more details on the renewal of the VoC for Morocco, visit the website of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green and Digital Economy or contact an approved organization such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or TÜV Rheinland.
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Voici la liste des documents nécessaires pour l'ouverture du dossier :
Proforma ou facture finale
Fiche descriptive pour chaque code de nomenclature
Rapports de test ou certificats d'analyse pour chaque code de nomenclature
Certificat de qualité ISO 9001 ou équivalent
Déclaration d'importation à demander à votre acheteur (selon la destination)
Voici la liste des documents nécessaires pour l'ouverture du dossier :
Proforma ou facture finale
Fiche descriptive pour chaque code de nomenclature
Rapports de test ou certificats d'analyse pour chaque code de nomenclature
Certificat de qualité ISO 9001 ou équivalent
Déclaration d'importation à demander à votre acheteur (selon la destination)
Voici la liste des documents nécessaires pour l'ouverture du dossier :
Proforma ou facture finale
Fiche descriptive pour chaque code de nomenclature
Rapports de test ou certificats d'analyse pour chaque code de nomenclature
Certificat de qualité ISO 9001 ou équivalent
Déclaration d'importation à demander à votre acheteur (selon la destination)
