EAC-Ready

Certification Scheme

BRINGING YOUR PRODUCTS TO THE DOORSTEPS OF EAST AFRICAN MARKETS

SGS.COM/PCA

Why East Africa?

Why EAC-Ready certification?

Economies in the east african community (EAC) are growing rapidly. To guide this

expansion and enhance the movement of goods across borders, EAC leaders are

adopting a common set of east african standards (EAS) to standardize, regulate

and control product quality and safety.

EAC is a regional intergovernmental

organization incorporating seven

partner states:

1. Republic of Burundi

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo

3. Republic of Kenya

4. Republic of Rwanda

5. Republic of South Sudan

6. Republic of Uganda

7. United Republic of Tanzania

(including Zanzibar)

Covering 4.8 million square kilometers,

the EAC has an estimated population of

283.7 million (>30% urban dwelling) and a

combined gross domestic product of USD

305.3 billion.

Operating in the EAC is a great

opportunity for global businesses looking

to expand their market for products

and services.

SGS AND EAST AFRICA

We have operated in the

East African region for nearly 20 years

and are recognized as a trusted service

provider of pre-shipment verification

of conformity (PVoC) services. PVoC

programs are operated by many EAC

member states to ensure products

imported into their countries comply with

mandatory standards.

EAC-READY CERTIFICATION

Simplify the process of entering East

African markets with EAC-Ready product

certification. Products certified under this

voluntary scheme are deemed to conform

to relevant EAS – a set of common and

binding standards for all EAC member

economies. Certification therefore

provides a clear pathway to entering

markets in all seven member states.

EAC-Ready certification is not a

replacement for the PVoC programs

operated by EAC members. Instead,

EAC-Ready certification is an effective

business strategy that enables companies

to easily satisfy the requirements of the

multiple PVoC programs currently being

operated by EAC members.

This cost-effective solution offers

considerable savings in time and other

resources, reduces normal PVoC

transaction interventions and empowers

faster shipping and clearance times.

Features and benefits

Access growing markets in the east african economic region by utilizing

compliance to east african standards through the EAC-ready certification scheme.

SCOPE/COVERAGE

Applies only to products where an East

African Standard (EAS) exists. Suppliers

may be located inside or outside of the

EAC region.

EAC-READY VS. PVOC

This scheme does not, and will not,

interfere with current PVoC programs

operated by EAC members.

The EAC-Ready scheme complements

PVoC programs by making the process

of securing mandatory certificates of

conformity (CoC) under PVoC programs

easier for certified goods.

ACCREDITED PRODUCT CERTIFICATION

EAC-Ready certification follows ISO/IEC

17065:2012 standard requirements.

We are accredited as a product

certification body by the GCC

Accreditation Center (GAC), which

is a member of and signatory to the

International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

BENEFITS OF EAC-READY CERTIFICATION

• Commercial advantage – gain

competitive advantage when

promoting goods to EAC importers by

demonstrating conformity to relevant

EAS standards

• Save time and money – for example:

EAC-Ready certified products will

easily secure a statement of license

under the PVoC program. This enables

faster issuance of CoC, with all

potential non-conformity being resolved

prior to shipping

• Boost confidence – built long term trust

in your products among EAC members

• Enhance EAC regional image through

EAC-Ready certification marking on

certified goods

Assessment components

Depending on the nature of the product and certification scheme, the verification

procedure may include one or more of the following conformity

assessment activities:

PRODUCT TESTING

Technical determination of one

or more characteristics of an

object according to specified

requirements (standard, regulation)

and procedures (test method).

Testing is conducted against

relevant EAS.

FACTORY AND DESK AUDITS

Systematic, independent and documented process to obtain audit evidence and

objective assessment with a view to determining the extent to which audit criteria

are fulfilled. It entails a physical (or virtual) visit to the entity’s premises (factory

audit) and/or interviews and screening of records to gather evidence on the item

being audited (desk audit).

Audits may include an examination of the product’s design, process or installation

and a determination of its conformity with specific requirements or, on the basis

of professional judgment, with general requirements. This could include visual

examination, measurement or testing, evaluation of technical documents, e.g.

design drawings, etc., and comparison of the findings with the requirements of

specification documents or generally accepted good practice.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW

Technical evaluation of documents (e.g. test reports and related information)

provided by an entity to determine compliance with a standard or regulation.

Once a positive decision on certification is reached, the applicant enters into

a certification agreement with SGS. This contains all the necessary terms

and conditions to which the applicant must comply during the course of the

certification period. It also elaborates on the rules for the use of the SGS

EAC-Ready certification mark, as well as defining reasons for suspension and

withdrawal of certification.

Products covered by certification are allowed to carry the SGS EAC-Ready

certification mark for the complete period of validity.

EAC-ready certification

process benefits

Submit application for EACReady product certification

SGS establishes the

certification plan

Preliminary review and

definition of certificate

issuance requirements

Communication of

requirements, certification

agreement and service invoice

to applicant

Certification review covering:

1. Factory audit report

2. Product test report(s)

Certification

maintenance surveillance

*Periodic surveillance (annual)

*Special surveillance

(when required)

Certification decision

SGS

Granting of certification

Receives:

1. Requirements for

CoC issuance

2. SGS invoice

Formal acceptance

of application INITIAL CERTIFICATION AUDIT

Document review (at CC premises)

Initial factory audit (digital audit)*

Initial product testing

Certification audit team:

1. Identifies products to be sampled and tested

2. Identifies competent* laboratory for testing product(s)

(agreed with applicant)

*Normally an SGS ISO 17025 accredited laboratory

Completes payment of invoice

Corrective actions CONFORMS?

Applicant

Receives certification for

the product

YES

NO

LEGEND:

SGS:

Your trusted partner

We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality,

integrity and expertise

Unique global network of over 2,650 offices

and laboratories

Experts with unrivaled technical competences

and product knowledge

Leading force in conformity assessment for any

product falling under the program’s scope

Accredited to conduct product certification

services in multiple markets

Extensive experience acquired through

developing and implementing multiple product

certification programs

More than 100 years of proven objectivity,

reliability and integrity

Trusted partner of businesses, governments and

trading communities around the world

© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. (2023) 553826

SGS.COM