Overview
AnchorAnchorThe Government of Kuwait, per its notification to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, eliminated pre-shipment standards inspection under the International Conformity Certification Program (ICCP) and is currently working with the GCC Standards Organization (Riyadh) to develop a region-wide standards regime to replace the ICCP. Discussions are ongoing with respect to product risk assessment classification, type of products to be required, standards conformity assessment, and as to whether the GCC would allow self-certification of low-risk products and third-party evaluation from standards testing authorities outside of the GCC.
The Standards and Metrology Department of the Public Authority for Industry governs Kuwait’s standards. Approximately 300 standards are currently applied, with standards derived from U.S., EU, ISO, and GCC standards.
Kuwait has adopted several GCC standards, including that major household appliances operate without a transformer at 240V/50 Hz and that instruction manuals for durable goods and appliances be translated in Arabic.
Standards
AnchorAnchorStandards in Kuwait are governed by the Standards and Metrology Department of the Public Authority for Industry.
Use ePing to review proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures.
The ePing SPS&TBT platform (https://epingalert.org/), or “ePing”, provides access to notifications made by World Trade Organization (WTO) Members under the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), distributed by the WTO from January 16, 1995 to present. ePing is available to all stakeholders free of charge and does not require registration unless the user wishes to receive customized e-mail alerts. Use it to browse notifications on past as well as new draft and updated product regulations, food safety and animal and plant health standards and regulations, find information on trade concerns discussed in the WTO SPS and TBT Committees, locate information on SPS/TBT Enquiry Points and notification authorities, and to follow and review current and past notifications concerning regulatory actions on products, packaging, labeling, food safety and animal and plant health measures in markets of interest.
Notify U.S., operated and maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) since 2003 to distribute and provide access to notifications (and associated draft texts) made under the WTO TBT Agreement for US stakeholders, has reached its end of life. Per obligation under the TBT Agreement, each WTO Member operates a national TBT (and an SPS) Enquiry Point. National TBT Enquiry Points are authorized to accept comments and official communications from other national TBT Enquiry Points, which are NOT part of the WTO or the WTO Secretariat. All comment submissions from U.S. stakeholders, including businesses, trade associations, U.S domiciled standards development organizations and conformity assessment bodies, consumers, or U.S. government agencies on notifications to the WTO TBT Committee should be sent directly to the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point. Refer to the comment guidance at https://tsapps.nist.gov/notifyus/data/guidance/guidance.cfm for further information. This guidance is provided to assist U.S. stakeholders in the preparation and submission of comments in response to notifications of proposed foreign technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures.
Conformity Assessment
In March 2003, Kuwait implemented its International Conformity Certification Program (ICCP), a pre-shipment certification program requiring that covered products be tested and certified by a single private company before being imported into Kuwait.
In 2010, the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) and Public Authority of Industry (PAI) announced that new standards for toys would be enacted in 2011. The new standards oblige local importers and distributors to place the GSO seal on all imported toys.
In 2010, PAI provided the GSO with feedback pertaining to the initiative introduced by Japan, Switzerland, and the United States regarding liberalizing trade in remanufactured goods. PAI affirmed no tariff barriers would be introduced.
Contacts
Government of Kuwait: Public Authority for Industry
Testing, inspection, and certification
Veterinary Health Certificate
A health certificate is required for the importation of live animals and animal products. The certificate should state that the animals or products were free of any contagious disease occurring within a radius of 30 miles for six months prior to export. Each shipment of meat or poultry must be accompanied by a statement that slaughtering has been conducted in conformity with Islamic law. The statement must be certified by the local Arab Chamber of Commerce and legalized by a Kuwaiti consulate or embassy. Additional information can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website or (301) 851-3751. (Plant Protection and Quarantine). The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspects and certifies that plants, plant products, and live animals conform to health and sanitary requirements as mandated by the Government of Kuwait. Exporters should also consult with importers and the appropriate ministry of the Kuwaiti government for additional information.
Sanitary/Phytosanitary Certificate
Required for plants and plant products. More information can be found on the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website or (301) 851-3751.
Certificate of Wholesomeness
Fresh and frozen meat and poultry products require a certificate of wholesomeness. Additional information is available from the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service:
Export-Import Program Analysis
Department of Agriculture
Technical Service Center
Landmark Center, Suite 300
1299 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68102, USA
Tel: (800) 233-3935
Certificate of Disinfection
A certificate of disinfection or sterilization must accompany shipments of used clothing intended for sale.
Foodstuffs Certificate
The producing company must provide certification in triplicate that the imported foodstuffs do not contain any form of cyclamate compounds. Certificates are sent to the Ministry of Health. Dairy products require a declaration that the product is free from harmful bacteria and other pathogens.
Certificate of Free Sale
Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and foodstuffs may require a certificate of free sale stating that the commodities in question are in free circulation in the country of export. The Food and Drug Administration can issue these certificates. More information can be found on the FDA Food Guidance Regulations webpage. Exporters should consult with the departments of health or commerce in their home U.S. state to determine whether that state (or the local municipality) can issue Certificates of Free Sale.
Certificate of Free Sale-Beauty and Health Products
Imports of cosmetics, beauty, and health products require a certificate proving that the manufacturer is licensed by an appropriate authority to produce the product, showing that the product and ingredients are safe for use, that the company complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of the country of origin, and evidence that the product is scientifically safe when used as directed.