As from July 1^st, 2011, the Iraqi government has implemented a so called “VoC Inspection” – Verification of Conformity Inspection”. Imports have to be quality certified by the two nominated quality control companies SGS or BUREAU VERITAS. For more information visit:
www.sgs.com
www.bureauveritas.com

IMPORTANT-LATEST DEVELOPMENT

Effective from the END of February 2012, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning decided to stop using the cargo Inspection Company SGS. At a press conference in Baghdad on Monday, 20^th of February, Planning Minister confirmed that SGS had lost the contract for Pre-Importation Inspection, Testing, and Certification of Goods into Iraq (ICIGI) due to poor performance. He added that the door is open for other inspection companies to make deals with the Ministry. He also said that the ministry has contacts with six other companies but did not mention which the six companies are. SGS will continue to be engaged until the end of February to complete some ongoing legal and administrative works. All earlier issued SGS certificates are still valid until 5/3/2012.

For more info/details we would recommend the Suppliers/Shippers to check with their consignees in Iraq as well as Bureau Veritas and SGS offices in their countries for avoiding possible delays at the customs and extra unnecessary charges:
www.bureauveritas.com
www.sgs.com

Iraq’s Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control:

As per 15^th of July 2011, the program of Conformity (COC) is now in place for goods shipped to Iraq. The implementation date has been changed several times due to requests raised by Iraqi Traders to the Iraqi Government to postpone the date. Finally the Minister of Finance announced that the final date for implementation will be 15^th July 2011.

Important: this does not include goods imported by the Iraqi Ministries and State Organizations

However, the following category of products is subject to this legislation, even they are imported by the Iraqi Ministries and State Organizations:

• Food and agricultural products
• Chemical and household products
• Construction-related materials
• Consumer items
• Toys and childcare products
• Electrical and electronic products
• Vehicles and spare parts
• Medicines and lab equipments