Local manufacturers
Producers of goods made in Somalia that are placed on the Somali market and fall within the scope of an applicable Somali Standard.
Product Conformity Assessment
Product Conformity Assessment (PCA)
For export and locally produced goods
What is PCA?
The Product Conformity Assessment (PCA) process, led by the Somali Bureau of Standards (SoBS), ensures that both locally produced goods and export products comply with national and international safety, quality and regulatory standards.
PCA verifies products against the applicable Somali Standards (SOS) or recognized international standards through evaluation, documentation review, testing and inspection. Products that meet all requirements are certified, so that consumers, buyers and authorities can rely on them.
The programme guarantees that products are safe for consumers, competitive in the market and ready for export, and it is followed by surveillance to ensure ongoing compliance after certification.
At a glance
- Scope
- Locally produced goods and export products
- Outcome
- S‑Mark (locally produced goods) or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for exports
- Legal framework
- Somali Standards and Quality Control Act No. 27 of 2020 and related regulations
- Applications
- SoBS Online Services (IMIS)
Who needs PCA?
Applicants and products covered
PCA applies to goods produced in Somalia for the local market and to Somali products destined for export.
Exporters
Businesses exporting Somali products that require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to demonstrate compliance to buyers and importing authorities.
Regulated product categories
Products where safety, quality and performance matter most — such as food, electrical, construction, fuel and pharmaceutical products.
Assessment requirements
What SoBS assesses
Requirements depend on the product and the applicable standard. The elements below describe the assessment in general terms.
Applicable standards
The Somali Standard (SOS) or recognized international standard that applies to the product category is identified and forms the basis of the assessment.
Product documentation
Design specifications, production process information and any prior test results are submitted for review.
Conformity evidence
Records demonstrating how the product meets the requirements — quality controls, specifications and existing certificates where available.
Production assessment
Where applicable, assessment of the production site and its controls to confirm consistent manufacture of compliant products.
Sampling & testing
Product samples are tested in accredited laboratories to verify compliance with safety, quality and performance requirements.
Surveillance
After certification, SoBS conducts factory inspections, random product sampling and periodic re‑testing to confirm ongoing compliance.
Certification process
From application to certificate
Certified products remain subject to SoBS surveillance — factory inspections, random sampling and periodic re‑testing.
- 1
Application
Submit the application through SoBS Online Services (IMIS).
- 2
Product evaluation & classification
The product is categorised and the corresponding standards are identified.
- 3
Document review
SoBS reviews specifications, production processes and prior test results.
- 4
Assessment & inspection
Production and product inspection against the required specifications.
- 5
Testing (where applicable)
Samples are tested in accredited laboratories.
- 6
Technical review
Findings are reviewed against the applicable standard.
- 7
Certification decision
SoBS decides whether all requirements are met.
- 8
Certificate issuance
S‑Mark for local goods or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for exports.
Certification & verification
Receiving and verifying a certificate
Certificate issuance
Once a product meets all requirements, SoBS issues the S‑Mark authorisation for locally produced goods or a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for exports — assuring consumers and international buyers of compliance. Applicants receive their certificate through the SoBS Online Services (IMIS) account used for the application.
Public verification
Anyone can confirm whether a company or product is certified by SoBS in the Public Directory on the SoBS‑IMIS portal, which lists certified companies, service providers and products.
Testing partners
SoBS Laboratory Concession Agreements
To fulfil the testing and inspection requirements of the Product Conformity Assessment (PCA), SoBS has entered into concession agreements with accredited laboratories.
Hope Labs Group
Accredited testing partner supporting SoBS in food, chemical and microbiological analysis for the PCA programme.
Achelab Laboratory Services Limited
Concessioned laboratory delivering analytical testing and certification support for regulated Somali products.
Why it matters
Why PCA matters for Somalia
Consumer Protection
Stops unsafe food, electrical, construction, fuel and pharmaceutical products from reaching Somali households and worksites.
Fair Markets
Levels the playing field for compliant local manufacturers and legitimate importers — discouraging unfair competition from counterfeit goods.
Trade Integration
Aligns Somalia with WTO/TBT, ARSO and EAC neighbours, easing recognition of Somali certificates by trading partners.
Border Efficiency
Reduces customs disputes and ensures regulated goods are properly classified and declared at the border.
Legal Framework
SoBS operates under the Somali Standards and Quality Control Act No. 27 of 2020 and related regulations governing inspection, certification, conformity assessment and quality marks.
- ›Somali Standards and Quality Control Act No. 27 of 2020
- ›Regulation on Inspection and Verification of Quality Control of Goods Entering the Federal Republic of Somalia (2023)
- ›Regulation on Export, Certificates and Quality Marks (2023)
Need help?
Speak directly with SoBS
Importers, manufacturers and customs agents can reach our PCA desk for product classification, sampling and certificate enquiries. Call our hotline 2022 or email info@sobs.gov.so.
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