SGS recently hosted two successful business breakfast events in Nairobi and Mombasa, bringing together over 230 key stakeholders from across Kenya’s import and export sectors. The sessions focused on the Kenya Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Certificate of Origin, providing valuable insights to importers, clearing agents and exporters on how to ensure full compliance with Kenyan and international trade regulations.
Nairobi Business Breakfast
The Nairobi event, attended by more than 130 participants, featured representatives from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and SGS experts. The panel included:
- Habert Marimpet – Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
- Elain Mediavale – Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
- Judith Ogolla, Samuel Mwaniki and Ferideh Kilii – SGS
The session provided a platform for interactive discussions around Kenya’s Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program, which ensures that imported products comply with applicable standards, specifications and regulations before entering the Kenyan market. Participants gained practical knowledge on how to avoid costly customs delays, maintain compliance and protect their business interests.
Since its inception in 2005, SGS has been appointed by KEBS to operate the PVoC program, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to quality assurance and trade facilitation. With decades of experience in supporting regulatory compliance worldwide, SGS offers unmatched technical expertise and a deep understanding of both international standards and local requirements.
Mombasa Business Breakfast
Following the success of the Nairobi event, SGS held a similar session in Mombasa, attended by over 100 importers, clearing agents and exporters. The workshop featured insights from key industry stakeholders:
- Habert Marimpet – Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
- Robert Wanyama – Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
- Judith Ogolla, Samuel Mwaniki, Pauline Anyango, Millicent Kirigo, Wycliff Sunda and Axel Harmsen – SGS
Discussions focused on both import and export verification processes, emphasizing SGS’s role in supporting trade compliance for goods entering and leaving Kenya. Beside operating the PVoC program for Kenyan imports, SGS is appointed by various government authorities to operate PVoC programs for exports from Kenya to Uganda, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gabon, Saudi Arabia and South Sudan, verifying that products meet the required technical regulations and quality standards.
Promoting Compliance, Quality and Safer Trade
Both events underscored the importance of awareness and collaboration in ensuring efficient, compliant and secure trade. For Kenyan importers and exporters, these sessions provided clarity on navigating complex regulations, securing Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and avoiding delays at customs.
By organizing such informative workshops, SGS continues to empower businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in today’s regulated global trade environment. Through our ongoing partnership with KEBS and other government agencies, SGS remains committed to enhancing product quality, consumer safety and economic growth across Kenya and beyond.
We are proud to play a key role in supporting trade in Kenya through our verification services. Our goal is to help businesses streamline the import process for greater efficiency and productivity.
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 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 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 trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).
