English
FrançaisComplaint
- Complaint number
- NTB-001-390
- NTB Type
- 3. Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
- NTM Code
- B81: Product registration/approval requirements
- Complaint
-
RFDA Mandatory Product Registration Requirements on 44 medicated cosmetics, 6 household chemical and 13 liquid detergent.
The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (RFDA) has made it mandatory for all such products to undergo product registration and obtain approval before they can be marketed, distributed, or advertised in Rwanda. The registration process is lengthy, taking between 6 and 12 months, and requires submission of product samples, test reports, labels, and other technical documentation. In addition, Kenyan products that have already undergone conformity assessment, testing, and certification by competent authorities in Kenya are subjected to
duplicate testing, inspections, and additional charges in Rwanda. This increases the cost of doing business, delays market entry, and undermines the competitiveness of Kenyan manufacturers.
This requirement is inconsistent with the spirit of the EAC Standardization, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing (SQMT) which promotes mutual recognition of conformity assessment results and the EAC Regulatory Framework to facilitate cross-border trade of pre-packaged food and cosmetic products. The duplicative requirements also constitute a significant Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) that restricts the free movement of goods within the region and increases the cost of Kenya products which has valid standardization marks (SMarks) thus making the Kenya and regional goods to be uncompetitive. - Progress update note
-
- Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Rwanda: Rwanda FDA (Government institution)
- Reporting Country or Region
- Kenya
- Country specific trade issue
- No
- Date of incident
- 2026-06-29
- Status
- New
- Product Description
-
44 medicated cosmetics, 6 household chemical and 13 liquid detergent
- Total value
- 0
- Date reported
- 2026-09-14 12:35
- Modified
- 2026-09-14 12:35
Messages
No messages
