Kinshasa, August 23rd, 2026 (CPA).- The Congolese consumers have been urged by the General Director of the Congolese Control Office (OCC) to prioritise products certified as ‘NCD’, during an information and awareness-raising session held on Friday in Matadi, in the province of Kongo Central, in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a press release consulted on Sunday by CPA. “The General Director of the OCC, Pierre Lohohola, during an information and awareness-raising session for economic operators in Kongo Central organised on Saturday in Matadi, has urged the consumers to prioritise the products certified as NCD (Congolese Development Standards), as this mark of conformity now serves as a benchmark for quality, safety and trust in the market”, we have read in to the OCC’s press release.
According to the document, the General Director of the OCC, quoted in the press release, has indicated that this meeting forms part of the drive to promote quality, compliance and certification of products placed on the Congolese market. In particular, it aims to strengthen consumer protection, ensure better product traceability and boost the competitiveness of Congolese businesses.
He has, to this end, reminded that the certification to NCD Standards applies to both locally manufactured products and imported goods. This initiative, decided upon by the government, aims to ensure public safety, protect consumers and safeguard the national economy, whilst offering economic operators guarantees of quality and compliance. For his part, the General Secretary for Industry, Saturnin Wangwamba, has welcomed the progress made in implementing the National Certification System.
He has indicated that efforts must now continue, in collaboration with the provincial authorities, with a view to establish a single certification mark designed to provide harmonised certification that local and imported products comply with current standards. “The Kongo Central’s strategic location, its industrial potential and its port and road infrastructure place the province at the forefront of those set to benefit from this reform. It also presents an opportunity to promote local production and facilitate access for Congolese products to national, regional and international markets,” has concluded the provincial authority. In Kongo Central, products that meet the established requirements can now be certified to the NCD standard.
The awarding of a certificate of conformity to the Lukala Cement Works (CILU) is a concrete example of this and marks a significant step in the implementation of the system in the province. The national certification system based on NCD standards (Congolese Development Standards) aims to ensure that a product, service, process or organisation complies with specific requirements defined by recognised standards. It serves as a guarantee of quality, but also as a means of boosting competitiveness for Congolese businesses in the era of globalisation.