A few years ago, it was enough to sell quality products locally and let word of mouth drive growth. Not anymore. If you’re aiming to break into new markets — whether it’s the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, or parts of Africa — there’s one thing standing between your product and that customs checkpoint: certification.
Let’s break down how certification helps in export market access, what certifications are required for export from countries like Kenya, Bangladesh, Nigeria, or Ghana, and how Qcert360 helps businesses become globally recognized suppliers.
Why Global Certifications is the New Passport for Global Trade
Buyers don’t just care about your product — they care about your systems. Can you prove your goods are safe, consistent, and compliant with international expectations? That’s where certification steps in.
Whether it’s ISO certification for international trade, GMP certification for African pharma exporters, or CE certification for global market entry, third-party endorsements open doors. They reduce buyer risk. They speed up customs. And they often serve as a mandatory filter in government and retail tenders.
Take this scenario: a cosmetics manufacturer in Nigeria wants to expand sales to Carrefour in the UAE. Carrefour requires GMP and ISO 22716 documentation before they even evaluate the product. No certificate, no listing — no matter how good the cream is.
What Global Certifications Do You Actually Need to Sell Internationally?
This depends on your product and where you’re selling. Here’s a quick guide based on our experience across key markets:
- Food exports → ISO 22000, HACCP, HALAL, GHP, and for processed foods, BRCGS is often expected.
- Pharma exports → GMP is non-negotiable; GDP for logistics, and ISO 9001 for QMS.
- Electronics or machinery → CE certification for global market entry is essential for Europe and often requested in GCC too.
- Cosmetics → ISO 22716 (GMP for cosmetics), HALAL (for GCC), and safety dossiers aligned with EU standards.
Exporters often ask us: What are the certifications required for export from Kenya or Ghana? It depends on your destination market. Selling to the EU or UAE? You’ll need more than a business license.
Real Case Study: A Medical Device Exporter from Bangladesh
A family-run business in Dhaka was manufacturing diagnostic kits for local clinics. Demand was growing, but when they tried exporting to UAE and Malaysia, things stalled. Distributors liked the price, but the buyers had one question: Are you certified?
Here’s how we helped:
- Assessment – We analysed their production against ISO 13485 requirements (needed for medical devices) and created a gap report.
- QMS Buildout – We implemented an ISO 9001 for cross-border contracts system to handle product traceability, complaint handling, and document control.
- GMP Readiness – Since the product was health-related, we prepared them for a GMP audit aligned with WHO expectations.
- Export-Specific Support – We identified the certification needed to sell internationally for each of their target countries (UAE, Qatar, and Singapore).
Six months later, they cleared certification audits and started shipping to four countries. Today, they’re not just a local vendor — they’re on the approved supplier list of two GCC government health networks.
Geo-Focused Insights: Africa, GCC, and Southeast Asia
Let’s talk regions. Because standards vary, and what works in Lagos may not get you into Doha.
Kenya & Nigeria
Local food and pharma companies often ask how to get ISO certified in Kenya or Nigeria. The demand is growing from both regional and international buyers. Especially in pharmaceutical and processed food sectors, having GMP and ISO 22000 is no longer optional if you want to be taken seriously by buyers in Europe or the GCC.
UAE & Saudi Arabia
Want market access certification for UAE and Saudi Arabia? You’ll need a mix of HALAL, GMP, GDP, and often ISO 9001 to satisfy procurement teams. Certifications buyers ask for in tenders often include CE, especially in public health and electronics categories.
Bangladesh
Bangladeshi apparel, pharma, and food exporters increasingly seek global supplier certification. The demand is driven by buyers in Malaysia, the UK, and GCC countries. Many local firms use ISO certification for international trade to move up the value chain and enter long-term contracts.
Why Global Certifications are Not Just a Compliance Tool — It's a Sales Enabler
Qcert360 has helped businesses in Kenya, Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria, the UAE, and Malaysia become certified global suppliers. We don’t just issue checklists — we build systems that help you scale.
Here’s how:
- We guide you through how certification helps in export market access, step-by-step.
- We provide expert advice on certification requirements for African food exporters and manufacturers.
- We tailor ISO, GMP, CE, HALAL, and GDP implementation plans to your market.
- We help you prepare documentation that matches what buyers actually look for.
Whether you’re applying for your first tender or entering your third export market, we work with you to build the certifications that unlock growth.
FAQs: Certification and Export Market Access
- How does certification help in export market access?
It proves compliance with international standards, reduces buyer risk, and clears customs and tenders more easily. - What are the certifications required for export from Kenya?
Common ones include ISO 9001, ISO 22000, GMP, CE, and HALAL depending on the product and target market. - Is ISO certification enough for international trade?
It’s a strong foundation, but you may also need product-specific certifications like GMP or CE. - What certifications are needed to sell to Saudi Arabia or UAE?
Usually GMP, HALAL, GDP for pharma; CE for electronics; ISO 9001 or 22000 for food. - How to get ISO certified in Nigeria or Ghana?
Work with a certification partner like Qcert360 who understands local setups and international audit requirements. - Can I export without certification?
You can, but many buyers won’t take you seriously, and customs or retail channels may block your goods. - What is global supplier certification?
It’s a combination of ISO, GMP, CE, and other recognized certifications that qualify you for cross-border sales. - What is CE certification and why is it needed for exports?
It’s a mark of conformity for products entering the EU and increasingly expected in GCC too. - Do certifications really influence buyer decisions?
Absolutely — certifications buyers ask for in tenders are often the first thing procurement teams check. - Can Qcert360 help with multiple country certifications?
Yes. We’ve worked across Africa and Asia to build certification strategies tailored to each country’s export needs.
If you’re ready to move from local supplier to global exporter, don’t just hope for growth — build for it. Certifications are the bridge. Qcert360 is the guide.
Let’s talk. Let’s expand.
