1. Pre-Export Verification Of Conformity to Standards A government program to protect Zambians

2. Danger from sub standard goods
Melted charger

3. Historical Background
Changes in the economic policy of Zambia led to introduction of an open market economy around 1992.
Resulted in an influx of different products on the Zambian market from all over the world.
No scheme in place to check the quality of imported products until April 2003
The absence of procedures to check the quality and safety of imports resulted in the presence of inferior quality and un-safe products on the local market.
Introduction of the Import Quality Monitoring Scheme
The scheme was introduced in April 2003 under Statutory Instrument No /2003
Targeted selected imports due to limitations on testing capacity
Involves inspection of goods at points of entry
Scheme not effective in controlling the quality and safety of imports

4. Objectives and benefits for Zambia
Prevent the importation of products not meeting quality and / or safety standards
Prevent the importation of counterfeit products
Protecting consumers and the interests of importers
Supporting local producers against unfair competition and deceptive practices
Facilitate the clearance process by eliminating bottlenecks caused by the verification performed on arrival at entry points
Promote exports and the quality image of the country products (via compliance)

5. Why PVoC? It is very difficult to professionally verify goods at border points
Limited capabilities of ZABS (necessary to keep product experts at every border point);
Verification opportunity is limited by the need to discharge and re-load goods in containers;
Testing capabilities are limited;
Testing and assessment takes time, during which goods are stored,
this incurs direct storage costs (costs can be significant),
and increase working capital cost.
It is even more difficult to track sub-standard products when in the market

6. HIT RATIO
Number of products in hypermarket is about 10,000. It will take one person about 1 week to estimate only correctness of labeling and expiry dates.
Inspectors stand very little chance to chase all sub-standard products in the market.

7. Solution: PVoC – Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards
Products are verified before they come to Zambia by qualified personnel of well established independent international companies.
The verification process consists of the following modules:
physical inspection
sampling and testing
document verification
factory assessment (for certified products)
To verify products in this way the following is required:
international office network
international experts
international laboratory network
experience and track record in similar projects

8. ALTERNATIVES TO PVoC
Keep the status quo by not accurately checking the bulk of imported goods and thus continue with importation of sub-standard goods onto the Zambian market (the situation today);
Increase several-fold capabilities of ZABS (large budget increase) to check on reasonable proportion of imported goods. ZABS will strive for that but it will take time and require heavy investment from the Government.
Withdraw counterfeit and sub-standard goods from the market: requires sizeable workforce and a reinforcement regime, etc. Prevention is better than cure.

9. HOW IS THIS PROBLEM SOLVED IN OTHER COUNTRIES: DEVELOPED WORLD
Options
Analysis
Option 1
Self declaration of conformity supported by 3rd party test reports, audit reports, design approval etc.
Market surveillance.
Requires mature market and very well developed function of market surveillance. Not yet an option for Zambia.

10. HOW IS THIS PROBLEM SOLVED IN OTHER COUNTRIES: DEVELOPED WORLD
Options
Analysis
Option 2
Certification of products by state accredited private certification body (function exercised today by ZABS).
Requires full fledged National Quality Infrastructure in the country (not in place today) and
Very well developed network of product specific focused laboratories and product certification bodies
To have it in place calls for developed R&D for every product type in the market, plus extensive standards library. Both are inadequate in Zambia, and the process of developing them is quite slow.

11. HOW IS THIS PROBLEM SOLVED IN OTHER COUNTRIES: DEVELOPING WORLD
Option 1
Regulator focuses on a limited number of goods. Limited means a couple of dozen (e.g. The Philippines).
Not suitable for Zambia, since there are a significant
number of critical goods and the local production is far
outweighed by imported goods
Option 2
Leave everything to market.
The current situation in Zambia, current regulation on import
quality not very effective
Option 3
Regulator exercises full control (South Africa).
Cannot be implemented in Zambia currently as this requires
a heavy financial and human resource investment by
Government.
Option 4
PVoC (Kenya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Kuwait, Syria, more).

12. VARIOUS CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAMMES IN AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST
Saudi Arabia
Uganda
Since 2010
Nigeria
Kenya
(Since 2005)
Tanzania (coming soon)
Kuwait
Egypt
(Since 2001)
Iraq
Since 2011
Algeria
Lebanon Iran

13. FEE STRUCTURE Route A 0.450% of the FOB Value of the goods imported
Minimum fee per shipment: USD 350 (shipments up to USD77,700 FOB value)
Maximum fee per shipment: USD 7500
Route B
0.400% of the FOB Value of the goods imported
Minimum fee per shipment: USD 290 (shipments up to USD72,500 FOB value)
Maximum fee per shipment: USD 7000 subject to applicable commercial rates at the port of loading
Route C
USD350 (three hundred and fifty US Dollars)

14. Coverage and conditions
The above fees cover the documentary verification and the physical inspection of goods,
The above fees do not include the following activities:
Testing: to be quoted on a case by case basis
Containers sealing (if requested): to be quoted on a case by case basis
Product Registration: to be quoted on a case by case basis
Manufacturer licensing: to be quoted on a case by case basis
Additional fees where goods or facilities are not ready or available at the time the supplier has advised and therefore an additional inspection visit is required.

15. Contractors Contact Details
Bureau Veritas:
SGS : Flat No. 2, Plot No ,
Thabo Mbeki Road,
Lusaka, Zambia
Phone:

16. Conclusion Benefits Protect Consumer and Local Industry,
Reduce Fraudulent Transactions,
Fight against Counterfeit products
Prevent Unfair Competition,
Simplify Procedures and Faster Customs Clearance,,
Pre-export Verification avoids re-export of non compliant goods (protects the local importer)
CONSUMER PROTECTION:
Consumers and Importers lose income because of too many non conforming products in the market
Even when they turn to branded products, they will face counterfeit products with non conformity risk being even higher.
CONFORMED PRODUCTS AT LOWER PRICE
PVoC program does not increase the price of the products
PVoC program encourages serious importers to select reliable suppliers which can provide available conformed products at reduced price

17. WHY PVoC IS NOT A PSI
The purpose of PSI is to improve revenue collection by ZRA by means of
Correct classification of goods
Correct valuation of goods
Verification of packing list and quantity of shipment
PSI was administered under the Ministry of Finance
The purpose of PVoC is to ensure conformity of good to standards, mainly in terms of
health,
safety and
environment protection
Quantity is not essential
Sampling, testing, analyzing of data sheets, risk assessment are critical activities
The PVoC will be administered by a statutory body (ZABS) under the Ministry of Commerce Trade and Industry

18. Zambian Legislation Standards Act, Cap 416 of the Laws of Zambia
Under Part II Section 5 of the Act, the functions of the Bureau are specified and two of these include:
To promote and require the adoption of standards in industry and commerce with a view to improving quality of commodities, industrial efficiency and productivity and after sale support services and all aspects of quality assurance of commodities
To make arrangements or provide facilities for the examination and testing of:
(i) commodities to which standards apply; and
(ii) The material or substance from which a commodity may be produced, manufactured, processed, treated or finished
Import Quality Monitoring Regulation
The current regulation on import quality monitoring, SI 41 of 2003 is being amended to facilitate implementation of the PVoC program

19. Conformity assessment
ZABS PVoC Process

20. What is conformity assessment?
Conformity verification is essentially risk assessment of the exporter/manufacturer’s statement that their goods conform to agreed set of requirements
Consists of the following modules
Verification of conformity
Physical
pre-shipment
Inspection
Documentary
check of
conformity
Sampling
and testing
Factory or
logistics centre
assessment

21. Conformity assessment is essentially a risk management system
Takes into account
the safety hazards inherent to the specific product (such as mechanical, electrical, thermal, fire or explosion, chemical, biological or radiation hazards)
the severity of hazards
the homogeneity of the consignment
the reliability of the manufacturer / exporter
the final buyer and end use

22. FORMS OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
Voluntary Conformity
Assessment
Mandatory Conformity
Assessment
Depending on the risk of the product
Mandatory
Certification
Declaration
of Conformity
Systems of Voluntary
Certification,
Systems of Mandatory
Certification
Declaration based
on own proofs
Declaration based on 3rd
Party documents (certificates
and Test reports)
Equal Legal authority

23. Voluntary Conformity
Assessment
Mandatory Conformity
Assessment
Mandatory
Certification
Declaration
of Conformity
Systems of Voluntary
Certification
Systems of Mandatory
Certification
Declaration based
on own proofs
PVoC
SASO
GOST R
CE, GOST R
ISO 9001, 14000…
BRC
FI, SE, NE, DE…
CSA
Declaration based on 3rd
Party documents (certifica
and Test reports)

24. FLOW CHART FOR PVoC GEOGRAPHIC PROCESS
PVoC Agents
Exporter
PVoC:
Inspection,
Testing,
Audit,
Documentary verification … 
EXPORTING COUNTRY
Compliant Goods
certificate
Clearance
ZAMBIA
PVoC Agents
Importer

25. There are THREE ROUTES of verification of goods
ROUTE A: applicable to any goods and any trader
ROUTE B:
Recommended for frequent exporter with homogeneous products,
Self-declaration of compliance supported by substantiated evidence (test reports, certificates, etc.),
Registration is renewable annually, subject to continual compliance.
ROUTE C
Only for manufacturers; certain distributors may qualify as well!
Consistent shipment compliance:
Evaluation of test reports and additional testing to demonstrate full compliance with the Standards;
Audit of the manufacturing facility & subsequent surveillance visits:
Process closely follows ISO / IEC Guide 28 – General Rules for a model 3rd party Certification Systems for products
Licensing is renewable annually, subject to continual compliance.

26. Review of registration
HERE THEY ARE
Inspection
Testing / test report
Satisfactory?
Certificate
Goods
Non conformity
report
registered
goods
Review of registration
Risk
assessment
Based on the risk
Assessment:
documentary review
Testing
ROUTE B
ROUTE A
Licensed
Random inspection
ROUTE C
Yes No

27. FLOW CHART FOR PVOC ROUTE A
Inspection
Testing / test report
Satisfactory?
Yes
Certificate
Goods No
Non conformity
report

28. FLOW CHART FOR PVOC FACILITATION PROCESS - ROUTE B
Satisfactory?
Yes
Certificate No
Non conformity
report
ROUTE B
Based on the risk
Assessment:
documentary review
Inspection
Testing
Review of registration
Risk
assessment
registered
goods

29. FLOW CHART FOR PVOC FACILITATION PROCESS - ROUTE C
Satisfactory?
Yes
Certificate No
Non conformity
report
ROUTE C
Licensed
goods
Random inspection

30. Still, how does it work?

31. BASICS OF BUSINESS PROCESS
Application
(RFC+PI)
Registration
Offer to exporter
Assigning
Standards
(classification)
Analysing
supporting
documents
Receipt of
acceptance,
invoicing
Scheduling
inspection
Writing
instruction
to exporter&
inspector
Issuance of CoC
Reviewing
results
Inspection
Testing

32. BASICS OF BUSINESS PROCESS – GOOD REGISTERED
OR LICENSED
Application
(RFC+PI+IDF)
Registration
Offer to exporter
Assigning
Standards
(classification)
Analysing
supporting
documents
Receipt of
acceptance,
invoicing
Scheduling
inspection
Writing
instruction
to exporter&
inspector
Issuance of CoC
Reviewing
results
Inspection
Testing

33. WHERE DOES IT BREAK Payment delays Application (RFC+PI) Registration
Offer to exporter
Assigning
Standards
(classification)
Analysing
supporting
documents
Receipt of
acceptance,
invoicing
Scheduling
inspection
Payment delays
Writing
instruction
to exporter&
inspector
Issuance of CoC
Reviewing
results
Inspection
Testing

34. Verification Of Conformity certificate
One document:
Issued by a competent and authorized company
Required for each shipment and for customs clearance
Printed on safety paper or electronic format

35. Used products without standards
One document:
Inspection Report
Only Route A will be used as consistency in quality cannot be assured