Applus+ in Qatar, authorized by the Ministry of Public Health to apply the VOC Qatar program for food imports

The VOC QATAR program was launched to safeguard the health and well-being of consumers by ensuring that food products entering Qatar comply with the highest standards of safety and quality. Under this program, all consignments of regulated products must undergo inspection and documentary review. Only after meeting the requirements of Qatar's General Standards Organization (GSO) and applicable technical regulations will a Certificate of Conformity be issued, allowing for smooth shipment clearance.

Regulated Products Under the VOC Program:

1. Meat and meat products
2. GMO products
3. Prepackaged foods
4. Spices
5. Fresh fruits and vegetables
6. Seafood
7. Processed foods
8. Dairy products
9. Vegetable oils
10. Honey

Exempted Products:

1. Cosmetics
2. Live animals (before slaughter)
3. Medical products and drugs
4. Tobacco

Required Documents for Exporters:
To ensure compliance, exporters must submit the following documents to Applus+ for review:

1. Final or Proforma invoice
2. Conformity documents, including test reports, quality certificates, analysis reports, etc., as per technical requirements
3. Ingredient list with concentrations, Certificate of Analysis (batch-wise), product labels/artworks, and hygiene certificate

Conformity Requirements:

1. Compliance with applicable Qatar standards (GSO)
2. ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP, GVP, GAP Certificates or equivalent certifications (nationally and internationally recognized)
3. Health documents
4. Test report from an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
5. HALAL slaughtering certificate and/or HALAL certificate from approved bodies

Assessment Process:
Applus+ will conduct a thorough assessment based on:

1. Documentary review
2. Control testing, if required
3. Physical inspection
4. Conclusion of the overall assessment

This new authorization enhances Applus+’s ability to support clients exporting food products to Qatar, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and facilitating smoother trade operations.

For further information or inquiries, please contact: Honeylene Lumibao Honeylene.Lumibao@applus.com