In February 2012, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) implemented its pre-shipment verification of conformity (PVoC) program for general goods. SGS has been at the forefront of service provision for this program since its inception and remains the first choice for exporters via our global network of specialist and state-of-the-art facilities.
Program Objectives
PVoC is a conformity assessment process undertaken prior to a product being shipped to Tanzania. It verifies conformity to applicable national standards, or approved equivalents, and technical regulations. The program ensures Tanzanian citizens enjoy greater consumer protection as it establishes enhanced quality assurance measures.
Other benefits include:
- Better product quality
- Competitiveness of small businesses boosted by effective product quality
- Governments fairly and effectively able to collect taxes
- Increased market confidence
Overcoming Negative Trading Environments
COVID-19 has had a huge negative impact on the global economy, and supply chain breakdowns, such as the recent Suez blockage, have only added to the conundrum of international trade facilitation. As the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification (TIC) company, we are able to utilize a wide range of innovative technologies to comprehensively support our clients in mitigating against these problems. Two such state-of-the-art technologies are the risk analysis system Profiler® and QiiQ®, our sophisticated remote digital inspection tool.
Digital inspections leverage advancements in technology by linking a person physically present at the place of inspection with an SGS inspection affiliate. The inspector is able to review, in real time, the consignment’s contents, enabling them to assess their compliance with the declaration. This system allows us to reduce inspection and turnaround times for PVoC certificate issuance.
Learn with Us
Proper labeling and marking on goods is vital for traceability. Applicable standards will also often include requirements relating to correct labeling/marking. For example, Clause 7.2 of Tanzania National Standard 160: 2013 – tomato sauces and ketchup – has the following provisions:
7.2.1 Each container shall be labelled with the following particulars:
- Name of product shall be ‘Tomato sauce or ketchup’
- Name, physical and postal address of manufacturer
- Country of origin
- Date of manufacture and expiry date
- List of ingredients
- Net content
- Storage condition
- Batch number in code or in clear
- Trademark (if any)
Exporters need to ensure their products conform to the sometimes complex provisions relating to labeling and marking to ensure compliance with relevant standards to ensure market entry.
Banned and Prohibited Goods
Two important additions were made to the list of banned or prohibited goods in the most recent iteration of the Tanzania PVoC program:
Plastic carrier bags – the Government of Tanzania has imposed a ban, effective June 1, 2019. However, the TBS has set guidelines for non-woven carrier bags with the following key specifications:
- Weight per unit shall not be less than 70 grams per square meter
- Shall be recyclable
- Shall be marked with manufacturer’s address and/trademark
- Shall be marked with the maximum carrying capacity
Stakeholders should be aware these regulations may be subject to change and so it is advisable to talk to your local SGS office if you intend to export such products to Tanzania.
Cosmetic product ingredients – the following have been banned and so products containing these ingredients can no longer be sold in Tanzania:
- Pyrithione zinc (anti-dandruff agent)
- Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial)
- Sodium
Download our TZ datasheet to see a complete list of banned and prohibited goods.
Trade facilitation supports governments in ensuring public health is safeguarded while allowing the undisrupted movement of goods. Exporters and importers need to select a PVoC provider who is capable streamlining and expediting the inspection and clearance of goods in order to optimize their access onto regulated markets.
Why SGS?
As a knowledge-based organization, SGS employs experts in many fields. Our competency centers comprise highly experienced technical staff in a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling us to support your business with all aspects of the Tanzania PVoC program. We utilize the latest technologies, including electronic Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and an advanced exporter portal, to help you successfully access target markets around the world.
Learn more about Tanzania – Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Program.
This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q2/2022) – keeping you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.
Read more in our PCA Newsletter
Q2/2022
- Understanding South Sudan’s New Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Program
- Updates to SGS’s Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity Program for the Central African Republic
- New Developments in Uganda’s PVoC Program
Q1/2022
- Major Change in Cameroon – Extension of Cameroon Pre-Shipment Conformity Assessment Program to all Imported Goods
- The Challenge of Import Regulations in Africa and The Middle East
- Welcome to Our PVoC Kenya Community
- Conformity Assessment and Certification for Morocco
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For more information, please contact:
Craig Wilson
Contract Manager
Trade Facilitation Services, SGS
t: +255 767 811 147
