In November 2008, the Yemen Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Organization (YSMO) selected Cotecna for a two year ICCP, for the following selected product categories:

• Food – all types including commodities, beverages and processed food
• Steel bars for concrete reinforcement
• Timber for construction

Cotecna VoC services are processed along the following steps:

A) Before / Pre-Shipment (in Exporter country)

1. An Exporter requests a Certificate of Conformity [CoC] from Cotecna in order to be able to export a shipment of selected products. For this, the exporter is required to use the Cotecna Request for VoC [RfVoC], via: the Cotecna web site, fax or email. Cotecna Helpdesk will address any inquiries.
2. Through the Request for VoC [RfVoC], the appropriate Cotecna office (closest to the Exporter location) requires the Exporter to produce several documents: product data sheet and descriptions, pro-forma invoice, product or QMS certificates, distributor/dealership agreements, third party test report, container stuffing and dates, labeling and shelf life requirements, …
3. Cotecna reviews the documents provided, establishes the product risk profile, and confirms essential requirements with applicable Yemen or other standards.
4. Cotecna provides VoC Offer [VoCO] to the Exporter. For initial VoCs, Cotecna notifies the Exporter that payment is required prior to issuing the CoC.
5. The Exporter signs and returns the VoC Offer [VoCO] to Cotecna, by mail, fax or email.
6. The Cotecna inspector confirms the availability, and details (products, standard and required testing date) are then given to the laboratory, taking into consideration the specific nature and risks of each product under the YSMO ICCP.
7. Exporter receives the inspection information (inspector name, date, scope).
8. Inspection is conducted covering: marking and packing; product shelf life (if applicable); random quality checks; conformity to packing list / invoice; visual product conformity; review of previous test reports (if provided); assessment of product functionalities; safety, conformity marks, national approvals; review of certificates of origin, QC/QA or other certificates. If needed, product(s) samples are picked up by the inspector and dispatched to the laboratory for testing. Inspection is performed using relevant AQL sampling and defects classification.
9. In the case of identified discrepancies or non conformities, the inspector informs the Exporter before inspection ends.
10. After the inspection, the inspector finalizes the Inspection Report [IR] including findings, remarks, discrepancies and recommendations: Once reviewed by the Cotecna office it is sent to the Exporter.
11. If lab tests have been performed, the lab test report is finalized.
12. Depending on both inspection and testing findings, either a Certificate of Conformity [CoC] or a Non Conformity Report [NCR] is prepared for that shipment.
13. During the first months of history with an Exporter, he will be required to pay for the conformity services performed, before receiving the CoC / NCR.
14. The original CoC / NCR on Cotecna security paper is issued to the Exporter. An Adobe© pdf “copy” of the CoC / NCR is made available on the Cotecna web site, or can be requested from the Cotecna Sana’a office.

B) Upon arrival In Yemen (Importer country)

1. Upon the product’s arrival in Yemen, the Importer has to assess if the CoC accompanying goods is correct, as required for Yemen Customs clearance.
2. CoC details on the Cotecna web site are accessible to the Importer, YSMO and the Yemen Customs. Also upon demand the Cotecna Sana’a office can print or email a “copy” of the CoC.
3. If the CoC is correct and valid, the Importer can proceed with the Yemen Customs for clearance.
4. If the CoC is not correct, or if the CoC is missing, a Verification of Conformity will be performed in Yemen before Customs clearance, as agreed between YSMO and Cotecna. The Importer will pay for the VoC activities in Yemen. The VoC process in Yemen is almost the same as the steps 1 to 14 above, except that the Exporter is replaced by the Importer. The objective of ICCP is to minimize Verification of Conformity activities upon arrival in Yemen. Therefore the Customs clearance process will be slower if goods arrive without a valid CoC. 

In addition:

• Cotecna will conduct market surveillance by collecting pre-identified samples and verify their conformity to the appropriate standards. Such services will be triggered by risk evaluation and/or non-conformity evidence, and will be paid for by the Exporter or the Importer, depending on where the market surveillance is performed.
• For product registration (route 2) and product licensing (route 3), Cotecna will perform on–site audits of exporters / manufacturers to verify their operations, organization and procedures. The objective of these audits is to progressively shift the compliance focus on the capability of processes to deliver conform products, rather than on verifying the compliance of each shipment.

Click here for the Voc Yemen infosheet