All Global Standards, ISO Systems & Continental Conformity Programs 38 Standards
Why export certifications matter
Many markets will not clear goods without proof that they meet local standards. Some requirements apply to the exporter's management systems, such as ISO 9001 or food-safety standards; others apply to each product or shipment, such as conformity certificates required at import. Missing the right certificate is one of the most common reasons shipments are held at customs.
- System certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 22000, BRCGS) show that a company's processes are audited by an accredited body.
- Product conformity marks (CE, UKCA, EAC and national marks) show that a product meets the importing market's technical rules.
- Pre-export verification programmes require inspection and a certificate of conformity before goods leave the origin country.
- Food and agricultural registrations require the producing facility to be registered with the importing country's authority.
Standards and conformity programmes in this directory
| Standard / programme | What it covers | Where it applies | Validity | Typical time to obtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality Management Systems (QMS) | Universal (All 168 ISO Signatory Nations) | 3 Years (Annual Surveillance) | 3 to 5 Months |
| ISO 14001:2015 | Environmental Management Systems (EMS) | Universal (Environmental & Industrial Sector) | 3 Years (Annual Surveillance) | 3 to 5 Months |
| ISO 45001:2018 | Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) | Universal (Occupational Safety & Work Sites) | 3 Years (Annual Surveillance) | 3 to 5 Months |
| ISO 22000:2018 | Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) | Universal (Farm-to-Fork Food Supply Chain) | 3 Years (Annual Surveillance) | 4 to 6 Months |
| GlobalG.A.P. (IFA v6 + GRASP) | Integrated Farm Assurance & Social Practice | Global Produce Exporters to EU, UK & Americas | 1 Year (Annual Renewal) | 2 to 3 Months |
| BRCGS Food Safety (Issue 9) | Global Food Safety Standard (GFSI) | Tier-1 Global Supermarket Supply Chains | 1 Year (Graded AA/A/B) | 4 to 8 Months |
| Halal Certification (GSO 2055-1 / SMIIC / JAKIM) | Islamic Dietary & Sharia Sourcing Compliance | GCC, OIC, Southeast Asia & Global Muslim Markets | 1 to 3 Years (Annual Audit) | 1 to 2 Months |
| Saudi Arabia SABER (SALEEM Scheme) | Product (PCoC) & Shipment (SCoC) Conformity | Saudi Arabia (KSA) | PCoC (1 Year) / SCoC (Per B/L) | 1 to 3 Weeks |
| Saudi Quality Mark (SASO SQM License) | Mandatory Quality Mark for Ceramic Tiles, Cement & Steel | Saudi Arabia (KSA) | 3 Years (Annual Factory Surveillance) | 2 to 4 Months |
| UAE MoIAT ECAS & EQM Conformity | Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) & Emirates Quality Mark (EQM) | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | ECAS (1 Year) / EQM (3 Years) | 2 to 4 Weeks |
| Kuwait PAI KUCAS Program (TER & TIR) | Public Authority for Industry - Kuwait Conformity Assurance Scheme | Kuwait | TER (2 to 3 Years) / TIR (Per Shipment) | 1 to 3 Weeks |
| GCC Unified G-Mark (GSO GCTS Scheme) | Gulf Conformity Tracking System (G-Mark) for Low Voltage & Toys | All 6 GCC Nations (KSA, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain) | 3 Years (Annual Surveillance) | 3 to 6 Weeks |
| US FDA Food Facility & FSMA Compliance | FDA Registration (FFR), U.S. Agent & FSVP Food Safety Plan | United States (USA) | Biennial (Renewed Every Even-Numbered Year: Oct 1 - Dec 31) | 3 to 7 Days |
| Canada CFIA SFC Licensing & Regulations | Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) & Preventive Control Plan (PCP) | Canada | 2 Years (Biennial Renewal) | 2 to 4 Weeks |
| Brazil INMETRO Certification & MAPA | Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (INMETRO Mark) | Brazil (Mercosur) | 3 to 4 Years (Annual Factory Surveillance) | 2 to 4 Months |
| Argentina IRAM Mark & SENASA Clearance | Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (IRAM Safety S-Mark) | Argentina (Mercosur) | 3 Years (Annual Factory Surveillance) | 2 to 3 Months |
| Nigeria SONCAP & NAFDAC Programs | Standards Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Program (SONCAP) | Nigeria (ECOWAS) | Product Certificate (PC: 1 Year) / SONCAP Certificate (SC: Per B/L) | 1 to 3 Weeks |
| Ghana GSA EasyPASS Conformity Program | Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) - Export Conformity Verification | Ghana (ECOWAS) | EasyPASS CoC (Per Shipment) / Product Registration (Annual) | 1 to 2 Weeks |
| Egypt GOEIC Decree 43 & NFSA Whitelist | General Organization for Export & Import Control (GOEIC) Foreign Factory Registration | Egypt | Permanent (Subject to ISO & Trademark License Validity) | 2 to 6 Months |
| Kenya KEBS PVoC Program & ISM Mark | Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) - Pre-Export Verification of Conformity | Kenya (East Africa) | CoC (Per Shipment) / ISM (Import Standardization Mark) | 1 to 2 Weeks |
| Morocco MCINET VoC Scheme & NM Mark | Ministry of Industry and Trade (MCINET) - Verification of Conformity | Morocco (North Africa) | CoC (Per Shipment) / NM Mark (3 Years) | 1 to 2 Weeks |
| European Union CE Marking (CPR 305/2011) | Construction Products Regulation Conformity for Natural Stone & Tiles | European Union (27 EEA Nations + EFTA) | Continuous (Valid While DoP & Factory Production Control Stand) | 1 to 2 Months |
| Germany GS Mark & DIBt Approvals | Geprüfte Sicherheit (GS Mark) & Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (abZ / aBG) | Germany | 5 Years (Annual Factory Surveillance) | 2 to 4 Months |
| United Kingdom UKCA Conformity | UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA Mark) | United Kingdom (Great Britain) | Continuous (Valid under UK Declaration) | 1 to 2 Months |
| Poland Construction Mark B (Znak Budowlany B) | Instytut Techniki Budowlanej (ITB) - Polish National Conformity Assessment | Poland | 5 Years (Annual Surveillance) | 2 to 3 Months |
| Turkey TSE Quality Mark & TAREKS | Türk Standardları Enstitüsü (TSE Conformity) & TAREKS Electronic Clearance | Turkey / Türkiye | TSE License (1 Year) / TAREKS (Per Shipment) | 1 to 3 Months |
| Eurasian EAC Conformity Mark (TR CU) | Eurasian Conformity (EAC Certificate / Declaration of Conformity) | Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) | 1 to 5 Years | 1 to 2 Months |
| China GACC Decree 248/249 (CIFER) | Overseas Food Manufacturer Registration | China | 5 Years | 2 to 6 Months |
| Australia DAFF Biosecurity & RCM Safety | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (BICON) & Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) | Australia & New Zealand | Import Permit (2 Years) / RCM Registration (Annual) | 3 to 6 Weeks |
| Indonesia SNI Mark, BPOM & Halal BPJPH | Standar Nasional Indonesia (SNI Certification) & Badan POM Food Clearance | Indonesia (ASEAN) | SNI License (3 to 4 Years) / BPOM ML (5 Years) | 2 to 4 Months |
| India BIS ISI Mark & FSSAI Clearance | Bureau of Indian Standards (FMCS Scheme) & Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) | India | BIS License (1 to 2 Years) / FSSAI Import Clearance | 3 to 6 Months |
Timelines and validity are typical values and depend on the certification body, product and site. Always check the current rules with the issuing authority before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
What is a certificate of conformity?
A document issued by an approved inspection body confirming that goods meet the technical standards of the importing country. Several countries require one for each shipment before customs clearance.
What is the difference between a certificate of conformity and a certificate of origin?
A certificate of conformity proves the goods meet product standards. A certificate of origin proves where the goods were made, which decides the duty rate and eligibility for trade agreements.
How long is ISO 9001 certification valid?
An ISO 9001 certificate is normally valid for three years, with surveillance audits each year and a recertification audit before it expires.
Do I need CE marking to export to the EU?
Products covered by EU harmonised legislation, such as construction products, machinery and electrical equipment, must carry CE marking and a declaration of conformity or performance before they are placed on the EU market.
Who issues export certifications?
System certifications come from accredited certification bodies. Product and shipment certificates come from government-approved inspection companies or national standards authorities, depending on the country.
Related tools: HS code explorer · cargo insurance and inspection portal · landed cost calculator.