Kurdistan Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) Program - Overview

The Kurdistan Region’s Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) Program plays an important role in regulating imported goods and ensuring that products entering the market meet applicable safety, quality, and technical requirements. By requiring exporters to obtain a Certificate of Conformity before shipment, the program helps authorities verify that regulated products comply with established standards prior to customs clearance.

For exporters and importers, understanding the CBCA requirements and completing the necessary documentation, inspection, and testing procedures in advance is essential to avoid shipment delays or clearance issues. Proper preparation ensures smoother trade operations while supporting the Kurdistan Regional Government’s objectives of consumer protection, market integrity, and regulatory compliance.

1. Purpose and Scope

The Kurdistan Region applies a Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) Program to verify that certain imported goods comply with relevant safety requirements and technical standards before entering the local market.

Under this system, products within regulated categories must undergo conformity verification prior to export. Compliance is demonstrated through the issuance of a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for each shipment destined for the Kurdistan Region.

The CBCA framework aims to:

• Ensure imported goods comply with established technical and safety requirements

• Protect public health and consumer safety

• Prevent the entry of substandard or unsafe products

• Support efficient customs procedures through verified compliance documentation

Regulated shipments must present a valid Certificate of Conformity during customs clearance, particularly at Ibrahim Al Khalil Port, which serves as a primary gateway for imports into the Kurdistan Region.

2. Government Authority

The conformity verification framework is implemented under the authority of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which establishes the rules governing imports into the region.

3. Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

Products that fall within regulated categories must be supported by a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before they can be cleared through Kurdistan’s customs procedures.

This certificate confirms that the goods have undergone conformity verification and satisfy the applicable safety, technical, and quality requirements.

The CoC is issued after completion of relevant conformity assessment activities, which may include:

• evaluation of product documentation

• verification of labeling and product information

• pre-shipment inspection

• laboratory testing when supporting test reports are not available

Because the certification is consignment-based, a separate CoC is normally required for each shipment. Shipments arriving without the necessary certificate may experience delays or may not be cleared by customs authorities.

4. Products Subject to Verification

The CBCA program covers a range of consumer and industrial products that must be assessed prior to export to the Kurdistan Region.

Examples of regulated categories include:

• toys and children’s products

• electrical and electronic equipment

• vehicles, bicycles, tyres, and automotive spare parts

• construction materials

• household hardware items

• kitchen utensils and cookware

• cooking appliances and domestic water heaters

• office and school stationery

• measuring devices

• baby-care items

• jewellery made from non-precious metals and imitation jewellery

• certain medical devices and equipment

Products not included in the regulated list may still be subject to verification or testing procedures upon arrival depending on the product type and applicable regulations.

5. Conformity Assessment Process

Exporters must complete a structured certification process before shipping regulated goods to the Kurdistan Region.

Step 1 – Certification Request

The exporter or importer submits a Request for Certification (RFC) along with shipment information and supporting documents to the authorized certification body.

Step 2 – Documentation Review

Submitted documentation such as product specifications, invoices, and available test reports is reviewed to confirm compliance with applicable standards.

Step 3 – Pre-Shipment Inspection

An inspection may be carried out prior to export to confirm:

• the identity of the goods

• shipment quantities

• product labeling and markings

• packaging and shipment details

Step 4 – Product Testing

Where documentary evidence is insufficient, samples may be sent to an accredited laboratory for testing to confirm compliance with relevant technical requirements.

Step 5 – Certificate Issuance

If the product successfully passes all verification stages, a Certificate of Conformity is issued. This document must accompany the shipment and be presented to customs authorities upon arrival.

For manufacturers exporting regularly, product registration or licensing procedures may be available to simplify future shipments and reduce the need for repeated inspections.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Exporters are responsible for:

• determining whether their products fall under the CBCA program

• submitting the required technical documentation and shipment details

• arranging inspections or testing where necessary

• obtaining a valid Certificate of Conformity before goods are dispatched

Importers must ensure that regulated products arrive with the required certification documentation and comply with the relevant customs procedures.

Failure to comply with CBCA requirements may result in shipment delays, additional inspections, or refusal of entry into the Kurdistan Region.

7. Objectives of the Program

The Kurdistan CBCA program is designed to achieve several regulatory objectives:

• Consumer Protection: Ensuring imported products meet established safety and quality expectations

• Regulatory Compliance: Confirming goods adhere to applicable technical requirements and recognized standards

• Market Integrity: Preventing the distribution of unsafe or substandard products

• Trade Facilitation: Supporting efficient customs clearance for compliant shipments

By verifying conformity before products are exported, the program helps maintain product safety standards and strengthens confidence in imported goods available in the Kurdistan market.

How SANTIQ Can Assist

Navigating conformity assessment requirements for markets such as the Kurdistan Region can be complex, particularly when certification, inspections, and laboratory testing must be completed before shipment. SANTIQ supports exporters and manufacturers by coordinating the certification process through our established network of trusted certification bodies, inspection companies, and accredited testing laboratories worldwide.

Through this partner network, SANTIQ can assist with identifying applicable regulatory requirements, arranging pre-shipment inspections, coordinating product testing where required, and supporting the preparation of documentation needed to obtain the Certificate of Conformity (CoC). By managing these steps in advance, SANTIQ helps businesses streamline compliance, reduce the risk of shipment delays, and ensure products meet Kurdistan’s import verification requirements before reaching the market.