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

• Online Application – Fill in and submit the application form via the official online portal.

• Certification Fee Payment – Pay the applicable certification fees for industries that are not categorized as SMES.

• Factory Audit & Sampling – Conduct an audit of the production line and collect samples.

• Product Testing – Carry out laboratory testing on the collected samples.

• Audit Report Submission – Submit the audit report to the client.

• Corrective Action Closure – Implement and close any corrective actions for identified non-conformities.

• Certification Decision – An independent committee reviews and makes the final certification decision.

• Issuance of Certification Documents – Provide the Contract, License, and Certificate of Conformity.

• Surveillance Audits – Conducted four times within a five (5)-year certification cycle.

• Market Surveillance – Conducted six times within a five (5)-year certification cycle.

• Re-certification – Performed after five years.

How to apply for S-Mark certification: 

Direct link to apply for product certification: https://portal.rsb.gov.rw/login.php

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