Lebanon Verification of Conformity (VoC)
The Lebanon Verification of Conformity (VoC) programme is a mandatory compliance scheme established to ensure that imported goods meet Lebanese and international standards.
Supervised by the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), the programme helps protect consumers, support local industries, and guarantee environmental and market safety.
Introduced in 2004, the VoC programme is implemented by authorized inspection entities operating in exporting countries.
These entities perform technical assessments—including testing, inspection, and document verification—before a shipment departs for Lebanon.
⚙️ Programme Objectives
The VoC programme’s main objectives are:
- 🛡️ Consumer Protection – Ensure only safe and compliant goods enter the Lebanese market.
- 🌍 Environmental Safety – Prevent non‑compliant products that could harm the environment.
- 🏭 Industrial Support – Safeguard domestic industries from unsafe imports.
- ⏱️ Efficient Customs Clearance – Enable faster import release with a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
📜 Regulatory Framework
- Authority: Industrial Research Institute (IRI)
- Legal Basis: Lebanese Decrees 7172, 7173, 7174, 7175, 7176, 12365, 12381, 14422, 15439, 5305, 5382, and 6997
- Start Date: August 2004
- Scope: Mandatory conformity assessment for goods exported to the Republic of Lebanon
- Assessment Includes:
- Documentary review
- Testing and analyses
- Physical inspection before shipment
- Verification against Lebanese and international standards
🧾 Product Categories Covered
Goods subject to the Lebanon VoC include:
- 🎁 Toys and childcare articles
- 🏠 Household electrical appliances (irons, washing machines, ovens, heaters, air conditioners, lamps, etc.)
- 🎧 Audio‑visual and electronic equipment
- 🔋 Batteries, chargers, transformers, and circuit breakers
- ☀️ Thermosolar systems and related components
- 🧱 Ceramic tiles and sanitary ware
- 🎨 Alkyd paints and coatings
- 🧴 Detergents and cleaning chemicals
- 🪟 Flat glass and laminated safety glass
- 🧯 Portable fire extinguishers
- 🩺 Selected medical devices (e.g., gloves and thermometers)
(Goods of Israeli origin or displaying Israeli symbols are strictly prohibited.)
🧰 Step‑by‑Step Certification Process
Step 1: Application Submission
Exporters or importers begin by submitting a Request for Certificate (RFC), providing:
- Product list and description
- Exporter/importer details
- Invoices and transport documents
- Available test reports or quality certificates
- Information on inspection readiness
Step 2: Route Selection
Two options are available depending on shipment history and risk level:
- Route A – Standard Route: Open to any trader or product category.
- Route B – Registration Route: For regular exporters of homogeneous products.
Registered goods undergo reduced inspection and document review, speeding up certification.
Step 3: Documentary Review and Testing
Authorized inspectors evaluate submitted documentation against Lebanese standards.
Laboratory testing may be conducted when conformity evidence is incomplete or outdated.
Step 4: Inspection Before Shipment
Inspectors verify that:
- Goods match documentation
- Labelling meets language and specification requirements (Arabic, French, or English)
- Electric products conform to 220/230 V and 50 Hz standards
Samples may be taken when necessary for further testing.
Step 5: Certificate of Conformity
If all requirements are met, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued.
This certificate is essential for Customs clearance in Lebanon.
Shipments lacking or failing certification receive a Non‑Conformity Report (NCR).
🔁 Facilitation Through Route B (Registration)
Registered exporters benefit from:
- 📄 Reduced inspection frequency
- ⚡ Faster certificate issuance
- 🔍 Ongoing monitoring to ensure continued compliance
This route is ideal for businesses with regular shipments of consistent product lines.
💰 Fees and Payment
Inspection and certification fees vary by shipment value and region of supply (Middle East, Asia, Europe, Americas, Japan).
Fees cover the costs of inspection, documentary review, and certificate issuance.
Testing or supplementary inspection costs, when required, are billed separately to the exporter or importer.
🎯 Key Benefits of the Lebanon VoC Programme
- ✅ Verified product compliance with Lebanese standards
- 🚀 Streamlined customs processes and fewer delays
- 🧩 Reduced trade risks through quality assurance
- 🤝 Improved exporter credibility and market access
- 🌐 Consistent alignment with international regulations
🤝 How ComplyMarket Can Help
Navigating the Lebanon Verification of Conformity process can be complex—especially for first‑time exporters.
ComplyMarket simplifies VoC compliance by providing:
- Expert guidance on documentation and testing requirements
- Support in completing and submitting the Request for Certificate (RFC)
- Assistance in identifying applicable standards for each product category
- Compliance tracking and follow‑up until final certificate issuance
With ComplyMarket, exporters can confidently expand into the Lebanese market while ensuring complete regulatory conformity.