Kuwait Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in kuwait, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Standards for Trade
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Overview

The 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 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

Standards in Kuwait are governed by the Standards and Metrology Department of the Public Authority for Industry.

NIST Notify U.S. Service

Member countries of the WTO are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to report to the WTO all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other Member countries. “Notify U.S.” is a free, web-based email subscription service that offers an opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical regulations that can affect your access to international markets. Register online at the Standards Coordination Office website.

Conformity Assessment

In 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 to 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 Product

Kuwait requires a health certificate from the country of origin for imported cosmetics and pharmaceuticals that is certified by the Kuwaiti Public Authority for Food and Nutrition or the Ministry of Health. 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.
 

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