Advancing Trade Compliance in Congo

On August 7, 2024, a pivotal meeting took place at Hôtel Elais between Cotecna’s representatives including our Marketing and Sales Manager Nelly Loulendo-Moutoula, Freight Forwarders Unions and the Congolese Agency for Standardization and Quality (ACONOQ), topped by their Director General. This session marked an important step in raising awareness about the compliance evaluation process, aimed at streamlining trade practices in the Republic of Congo.

Cotecna, authorized by the Congolese Agency for Standardization and Quality (ACONOQ), is responsible for executing the Congolese Conformity Assessment Program (PCEC). This program ensures that all products imported into Congo meet the approved standards and regulations, protecting consumers and ensuring the safety and quality of imported goods.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting:

• Enhanced Collaboration for Importation: The parties committed to strengthening their cooperation with Congolese authorities and stakeholders to ensure a more efficient and transparent importation process.
• Improved Information Sharing: A dedicated team was established to facilitate better communication and dissemination of compliance-related information, ensuring importers are fully aware of the necessary requirements.
• Ongoing Support for the PCEC: Cotecna reaffirmed its commitment to supporting PCEC’s operations, with a focus on issuing Certificates of Conformity (COC) for regulated products. The COC is mandatory for all exports to Congo, ensuring that products comply with local regulations before they enter the market.

Cotecna remains available to guide exporters through the conformity process, offering consultation services to help determine whether their products are subject to regulation. By ensuring these standards are met, the PCEC program plays a critical role in safeguarding consumers and supporting economic growth through a more transparent and streamlined trade environment.

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to build a robust framework for trade compliance in Congo, benefiting all stakeholders involved.

Contact Cotecna’s team for more assistance on exporting to Congo.