SGS has obtained ISO/IEC 17020 approval for conformity assessment services in Morocco.
On July 21, 2023, SGS Maroc S.A. (SGS) obtained ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation, becoming the first Moroccan organization approved by the country’s national accreditation body, SEMAC. SGS is now a type A inspection body, authorized to provide conformity assessment services for industrial imports under the market surveillance program set up by the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The ISO/IEC17020 standard involves:
- General requirements relating to confidentiality, impartiality and independence
- Structural requirements relating to administrative and managerial organization
- Resource requirements relating to personnel and infrastructure management (staff, software, equipment, subcontracting)
- Process requirements relating to work methods and documentary traceability (reports, certificates, call and complaint management, etc.)
- Management requirements relating to the management system (document control, audit, management review, etc.)
SGS’s highly experienced PCA team in Morocco ensures compliance with the above requirements by monitoring the conformity of industrial imports and meeting the expectations of all stakeholders.
Unlocking Moroccan HS codes
Based on the universal harmonized system (HS) of goods classification, Morrocco’s customs nomenclature determines the customs tariff when importing goods into the country and precisely identifies each product in relation to strict regulations that define customs clearance procedures. The Moroccan HS is essential for facilitating import/export operations and ensuring compliance with customs regulations – particularly for imported goods requiring certificates of conformity (CoCs).
The HS is structured into sections, chapters and headings. Each heading is identified by a six-digit code, which can be made more specific by adding two extra digits for a subheading. For Moroccan classification, the HS code is a top-down hierarchical system. Goods must first be classified according to their four-digit heading, then their six-digit subheading, their eight-digit tariff subheading and their ten-digit statistical subheading. The first six digits of the section, chapter and heading are universal, while the last four digits of the description are specific to the Moroccan classification.
| Chapter | Section | Heading | Description: country-specific tariff and statistical classification (Morocco) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 digits | 2 digits | 2 digits | 4 digits |
The Moroccan customs system also uses explanatory notes to clarify headings and chapters, which help determine the correct classification of goods. For more information, please consult the customs website: ADiL... (douane.gov.ma)
Exporters, importers and forwarders can avoid HS code misidentification and reduce the risk of delays and goods being blocked at destination for lack of CoC by communicating the correct Moroccan customs nomenclature to conformity assessment bodies. This will also minimize storage and demurrage costs.
Understanding the classification of goods and customs procedures is essential to the success of your import activities in Morocco.
Learn more about Kingdom of Morocco – Conformity Assessment of Industrial Products Program.
This article can also be found in our PCA Newsletter (Q4/2023) – which keeps you up to date with developments in technical barriers to trade and product conformity assessment.
Read more PCA articles (Q4/2023)
- Clearing the Channels: Ethiopian PCA for Pumps and Pump Accessories
- Product Certification: Added Product Cost or Added Product Value?
- The Vital Role of PVoC Services in Zanzibar’s Developing Digital Economy
- ACI for Africa: Simplifying Trade
You can read more articles in our previous editions in the PCA Newsletter Library.
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA.
