As international trade continues to expand, importers, exporters and manufacturers must ensure that products entering regulated markets comply with applicable technical, quality and regulatory requirements.
In Egypt, selected imported products may be subject to conformity assessment requirements under the Egypt Program (COI / ILAC). The program is designed to support product quality, protect consumer health and safety, and reduce the risk of non-conforming products entering the Egyptian market.
The Egypt Program is implemented in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and ministerial decrees, including Ministerial Decree No. 961/2012, Ministerial Decree No. 991/2015 and Ministerial Decree No. 43/2016. In this article series, we will explore these regulations and explain their impact on regulated products, inspection certificates and market access.
What is the Egypt Program (COI / ILAC)?
The Egypt Program supports the verification of selected products before they enter the Egyptian market. Depending on the applicable regulatory requirements, importers and exporters may be required to obtain a Certificate of Inspection (COI) issued by an approved inspection body.
The COI confirms that the shipment has undergone the required conformity assessment before import clearance. This process may include document review, physical inspection, verification of product specifications, labelling and marking checks, and laboratory testing where applicable.
Why is product conformity important?
Product conformity plays an essential role in facilitating international trade. For businesses, it helps reduce the risk of shipment delays, non-conformities and customs clearance issues. For regulators and consumers, it provides greater confidence that imported products comply with applicable quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
A structured conformity assessment process also allows companies to prepare shipments more effectively by reviewing technical documentation, product specifications and labelling requirements before export.
How Product Conformity Inspection supports compliance
Product Conformity Inspection helps businesses verify that products comply with applicable technical standards and regulatory requirements before shipment.
Depending on the product category and applicable regulations, inspection activities may include:
- Document review
- Physical inspection
- Quality inspection
- Quantity and weight verification
- Dimensional and specification checks
- Labelling and marking verification
- Laboratory testing, where required
By completing these verification activities before shipment, businesses can improve shipment readiness, reduce compliance risks and facilitate smoother access to the Egyptian market.
Supporting importers, exporters and manufacturers
Understanding regulatory requirements before shipment is essential for companies exporting products to Egypt. Compliance requirements may vary depending on the product category, HS code, applicable ministerial decree, technical regulation and inspection route.
Working with an experienced conformity assessment partner helps businesses identify the applicable requirements, prepare the necessary documentation and complete the inspection process efficiently.
Why SGS in Egypt?
With extensive experience in inspection, testing and conformity assessment services, we support importers, exporters and manufacturers in navigating Egypt's regulatory requirements with confidence.
Through our technical expertise, internationally accredited inspection capabilities and global network, we help businesses reduce compliance risks, support product quality and facilitate efficient access to the Egyptian market.
To learn more about our Product Conformity Inspection services for products entering the Egyptian market, please complete our online enquiry form and our team will contact you.
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
9G Ahmed Kamel St. (Off Al Lasilki),
New Maadi, Cairo Governorate, 11728,
Cairo, Egypt