As of January 2013, TÜV Rheinland’s International Approvals Group has begun issuing Certificates of Conformity (CoC) for a variety of products that meet the Iraqi safety requirements. TÜV Rheinland is one of four companies authorized to assist manufacturers to export products to the Republic of Iraq.
TÜV Rheinland helps customers follow the Pre-Import Inspection, Testing and Certification Program of Goods into the Republic of Iraq (ICIGI). The program is mandated by Iraqi Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control (COSQC) based on Law No. 54 of 1979 (Article 3/Clause 8).
Under the new regulation, 12 categories of products must be certified for exporting to Iraq, including:
1. Chemicals
2. Construction products
3. Cosmetics
4. Electrical and electronic products
5. Food
6. Household fuel burning appliances
7. Household hardware
8. Kitchenware
9. Textile and footwear
10. Toys
11. Vehicles, tires and spare parts
12. Others (all kinds of metallic cans and covers)
A TÜV Rheinland agent will perform verification at the border point of entry in Iraq to authenticate the CoC, check the condition of the shipment, consistency between the CoC and import documentation and visually check the packages or goods whenever customs opens a container. Upon completion of the verification, TÜV Rheinland will issue a release document, which will be provided together with the CoC to the customs.
The company’s International Approvals services also include document verification such as technical file review, pre-shipment inspection in the exporting country, and issuance of CoC. TÜV Rheinland’s Technical Competence Center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, supports the company’s offices in North America in technical inquiries and information distribution and provides updates from the Republic of Iraq. TÜV Rheinland’s Market Access team has the advantage of the biggest network of laboratories in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Nigeria, which implement similar certification procedures.
Additionally, the company assists its customers in obtaining the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) required approvals in the telecom and wireless markets in the Republic of Iraq. In accordance with Order 65 of 2004, the CMC is the sole entity responsible for issuing licenses for the use of telecommunication devices in Iraq and for allocating frequencies. TÜV Rheinland can obtain a permit for importation according to the regulatory procedures.
For more information, visit http://www.tuv.com/en/usa/services_usa/product_testing/worldwide_market_access/worldwide_market_access.html.
