Tanzania has a well-established product compliance system focused on public health, consumer safety, and import quality control. The country enforces its own national standards through the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and aligns with East African Community (EAC) and international standards such as ISO, IEC, and Codex Alimentarius. Compliance is primarily enforced through mandatory certifications, import inspections, and market surveillance.

Key Authorities:

• Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) – Develops and enforces Tanzania Standards (TZS), manages conformity assessments, and issues mandatory Certificate of Conformity (CoC).

• Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) – Regulates pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health-related products.

• Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) – Oversees telecom and RF equipment regulation, including type approval and spectrum management.

• Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) – Customs Department – Verifies import documentation and enforces compliance at entry points.

Key Compliance Elements:

• Standards and Certification (TBS):

  • Mandatory standards apply to products such as:

    • Electrical and electronic devices

    • Food products and beverages

    • Building materials

    • Cosmetics and personal care products

  • Products require:

    • A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by TBS or an authorized body before customs clearance.

    • Some products must also bear the TBS Mark of Quality for local sales.

• Product Registration (TMDA):

  • Required for:

    • Medicines and vaccines

    • Medical devices and diagnostics

    • Food supplements and cosmetics

  • Registration involves:

    • Submission of a product dossier through the TMDA portal

    • GMP certificates, clinical data, and safety documentation

    • Appointment of a local representative

    • Labels in English or Swahili

• Telecom Type Approval (TCRA):

  • All telecom and RF devices require type approval before import or sale.

  • Requires:

    • CE or FCC certificates as supporting evidence

    • Technical specifications and frequency compatibility data

    • Importer or authorized agent must apply directly to TCRA

  • Approved devices must comply with national frequency allocations.

• Labeling Requirements:

  • Labels must be in English or Swahili, and include:

    • Product name

    • Manufacturer/importer details

    • Country of origin

    • Usage instructions and safety warnings

    • Expiry or batch number (for health and food products)

    • Certification or approval number (if applicable)

• Environmental Compliance:

  • Tanzania enforces:

    • RoHS-like restrictions for hazardous substances in electronics

    • Plastic packaging restrictions under environmental sustainability programs

    • Energy efficiency labeling for electrical appliances

• Import Oversight:

  • Importers must provide:

    • Invoice and packing list

    • Certificate of origin

    • TBS Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

    • TMDA registration certificates (for health-related goods)

    • TCRA type approval (for telecom equipment)

    • Customs declaration through the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS)

• Market Surveillance:

Conducted by TBS, TMDA, TCRA, and TRA Customs. Inspections focus on product safety, labeling compliance, and prevention of counterfeit goods. Non-compliant products may be fined, recalled, or banned from sale.