Product certification service in the Democratic Republic of Congo - D.R. Congo

Product certification service in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Do you manufacture your products locally and want to export and market them outside the country? You absolutely must certify your products to improve the quality so that they are eligible for export to the international market. All manufactured products are subject to compliance with food safety standards.

What does Product Certification mean?

Product certification is a procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a product conforms to specified requirements. In other words, product certification is recognition by an accredited organization that a product is manufactured in accordance with specific characteristics previously set in the standards that govern it.

Product certification takes the form of the granting of a conformity certificate which entitles the manufacturer to use the conformity mark which he affixes each time on the certified product.

Where should I have my products certified?

This is where the Congolese Control Office (OCC) comes in, which has the role of correctly evaluating a product through its manufacturing processes, its packaging and even evaluating its traceability so that it can be exported. This evaluation of the OCC concerns as much the products which come from outside as those from the inside.

The Congolese Control Office is a permanent member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), of the country program affiliated to the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), member of the African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO), Regional Organizations for Standardization (COMESA and SADCSTAN) and member of the African Metrology Committee (CAFMET).

Why do I need to certify my products?

Certification provides indisputable proof to your customers that your product meets their needs and that it complies with the safety and quality characteristics defined in the corresponding certification reference system.

It is a major asset at the service of companies, consumers and legislators. Indeed, it has the following advantages:

1. For the manufacturer:

• Facilitates the sale of a product since it provides objective proof that the property offered actually has the characteristics and performances defined in the recognized standards and makes the product competitive;
• Strengthen the rationalization of production processes and the development of the quality management system thus reducing waste;
• Assistance in conquering and maintaining markets;
• Constitutes an effective and credible marketing tool both nationally and internationally;
• Helps gain the trust of consumers and customers.

1. For the consumer:

• Presents the means for the consumer to obtain guarantees as to the conformity of the products purchased;
• Constitutes a guide for making quick, appropriate purchasing decisions;
• Constitutes a guarantee that the product is manufactured according to an effective system of testing, control and monitoring.

What is the procedure to follow ?

After the manufacture of your products, you must express the need for certification of your products by sending a certification request letter to the Head of the local production control and certification department. It is best if the letter is physically dropped off at the OCC office instead of being sent electronically.

The letter must contain your contact number and the address of your place of manufacture (Factory or residence); make sure that the person to whom you have given the letter puts the acknowledgment of receipt stamp on the copy of the letter, this will allow you to do a good follow-up.

After receipt of the letter, your application will be reviewed, followed by the planning of initial assessment activities. After which a team of auditors or inspectors will be appointed by the head of the department to prepare the initial audit, carry out the audit in two stages before carrying out the lab tests. After reviewing the initial audit reports, you will be granted a License or compliance mark based on the certification decision that will be made.

What is the amount to pay?

The amount varies according to the duration of the evaluation, audits and the quantity of samples taken from your products.

In conclusion

With the certification or conformity mark, you can export your products and market them in the international market without any problem with the assurance that your products have met international standards. Remember that the international market is competitive, without certified quality you will run a great risk of losing customers and going bankrupt.

Learn more about certification

https://occ-rdc.org/certification/

For any contact:

Kinshasa

OCC-DCPL (Local Product Certification Department)

Lafayette building

Flambeau Avenue

Not far from INA

Tel: +243810153625

Lubumbashi

Congolese Control Office (OCC)

225 Boulevard M’siri

Municipality of Lubumbashi

Upper Katanga

Goma

Avenue du Gouverneur n° 26

Volcano district

Contact: +243813133517

occgoma@yahoo.fr

North Kivu

Other Provincial Commands

https://occ-rdc.org/direction-provinciales/