Papua New Guinea maintains a developing product compliance framework focused on public health, import control, and technical safety, especially for medical products, telecom equipment, food, and consumer goods. The country relies on a combination of national regulations and international standards such as ISO, Codex, and IEC for conformity assessment and enforcement.

Key Authorities:

• National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) – Oversees standardization, metrology, and certification, and aligns many standards with ISO and IEC.

• Department of Health – Medical Standards Division – Regulates pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food products, and cosmetics, including product registration.

• National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) – Manages telecom and RF equipment, including type approval and licensing.

• Papua New Guinea Customs Service – Verifies import documentation and enforces border compliance for regulated products.

Key Compliance Elements:

• Standards and Certification (NISIT):

  • PNG has adopted various national standards, often aligned with ISO and IEC.

  • Mandatory certification applies to regulated categories such as:

    • Electrical appliances

    • Food and beverages

    • Construction materials

  • Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or equivalent may be required at entry or for domestic sale.

• Product Registration (Department of Health):

  • Required for:

    • Pharmaceuticals and vaccines

    • Medical devices

    • Food supplements and processed food

    • Cosmetics

  • Process includes:

    • Submission of dossier with safety data

    • Certificate of free sale from the country of origin

    • GMP or ISO documentation

    • Labeling in English

• Telecom Type Approval (NICTA):

  • All telecom and wireless devices must be approved before import or distribution.

  • Type approval requires:

    • Technical specifications

    • CE/FCC certificates (as supporting evidence)

    • Device manuals and interface info

    • Application submitted by a local importer or agent

• Labeling Requirements:

  • Labels must be in English, and include:

    • Product name

    • Manufacturer/importer details

    • Country of origin

    • Usage instructions and safety warnings

    • Expiry/batch number (for food and health items)

    • Certification or registration ID (if applicable)

• Import Oversight:

  • Importers must present:

    • Certificate of origin

    • Invoice and packing list

    • Product registration (for health products)

    • Type approval certificate (for telecom equipment)

    • CoC or lab test report (if required by NISIT)

• Market Surveillance:

  • Carried out by the Department of Health, NISIT, NICTA, and Customs to check for safety, labeling compliance, and counterfeit goods. Non-compliant products may be confiscated or prohibited.