SGS, a leading testing, inspection and certification company, has unveiled details of the latest digital innovations available to export and import businesses looking to access Gabon markets.

Pre-shipment verification of conformity (PVoC) services for Gabon have been provided by SGS since 2015, under the auspices of the national standard body, Agence Gabonaise de Normalisation (AGANOR).

Under the Programme Gabonais d’Evaluation de la Conformité (PROGEC) program, SGS provides digitised services for the issuance of Certificates of Conformity (CoC), verifying quality standards for products exported to Gabon.

Requests for CoCs are now made electronically through an Exporter Portal, allowing for quick and easy submission of details.

Work on the implementation of e-Certificates (developed by the Gabon Government in partnership with SGS) is also in its final stages. This will allow all stakeholders to simultaneously receive essential documentation.

According to SGS, all these innovations are further supported by the development of SGS QiiQ, which uses state-of-the-art technology to help businesses comply with the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 standard, and facilitates trade in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Customs Organization (WCO) requirements.

In addition, a new e-Trade platform will also be available shortly to further support PVoC services for customers.