Introduction 

The product Certification is an attestation following assessment that; attributes, characteristics, quality, or status of goods, are in accordance with established standards.

Certified Products are given a Standardization Mark (S-Mark), to be displayed on the product.

Benefit of Product certification

•    The S-Mark is a powerful marketing tool for all manufacturers especially exporters. This eliminates the need for products to be re-tested all the time;
•    Displaying the S-Mark gives a product real point-of-sale differentiation resulting in more sales and greater revenue;
•    The S-Mark provides credibility when negotiating any contract especially government contracts as reflected in Rwandan regulation, exports and tender submissions;
•    There is an improvement in complaints’ handling this cuts costs and increases customer satisfaction;
•    The certification schemes result in consistent quality of products as it involves operating in a defined manner.

Process of Product Certification

•      Filling-in application form (2 Options: online or Hard copy)
•      Certification fee payment
•      To conduct audit of the production line and take samples
•      Product sampling and testing
•      Submission of audit report to client
•      Closure of corrective actions (if any)
•      Certification decision by independent committee
•      Issuance of certification documents (Contract, License and Certificate of Conformity)
•      Surveillance audit (Once in 2 years)
•      Market surveillance (Twice in 2 years)
•      Re-certification (After 2 years)

How to apply for S-Mark certification

Product Certification Linkage to National, Regional and Global Agenda

• SDG 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere & 
• SDG 2 Zero hunger. 
• Regionally; Products Certification participates in EAC Peer assessment and S-Mark logo is registered at EAC Secretariat and recognized in all EAC partner states. 
• AfCFTA Implementation Strategy, 2020