General Standards
Poland is located at the crossroads of European trade and transport routes. It can be an entry point to other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries as well as emerging markets further east.
Poland has had uninterrupted growth since 1992. It was one of the best performing EU economies during the global economic recession. Consumer spending in Poland was resilient during the downturn and is expected to remain strong.
The Polish economy growth is the result of:
- increased exports;
- improved economic outlook in the euro-zone;
- growing demand from emerging markets;
- domestic consumption.
The Polish Committee for Standardization (PKN) is the only Polish body that creates standards. Since Poland joined the European Union, Polish standards have been adjusted to meet the EU Standards, a system based on greater harmonization with international standards in general. The main documentation which has to be prepared for export or import of the definite products can be found here: https://sklep.pkn.pl/
The Polish standards setting is a process based on consensus initiated by industry or mandated by the European Commission and carried out by independent standards bodies, acting at the national, European or international level. There is strong encouragement for non-governmental organizations, such as environmental and consumer groups, to actively participate in European standardization.
Many standards in Poland are adopted from international standards bodies such as the International Standards Organization (ISO). The drafting of specific Polish standards is handled by three European standards organizations:
1. CEN, European Committee for Standardization, handling all other standards
http://www.cen.eu/cen/pages/default.aspx
2. CENELEC, European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
3. ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute http://www.etsi.org/
Product Certification
In Poland, the Polish Center for Testing and Certification (PCBC) is the leading organization for product testing and certification. With over 50 years of experience, this organization also certifies management systems and conducts personnel trainings. PCBC is a member of many international and European organizations acting in the field of quality management, conformity assessment of products and systems and also training and certification of personnel.
The PCBC runs activities in the scope of:
- organization of certification system for: B, Q, Eko, Ecolabel mark;
- certification of management systems (PCBC and IQNet certificates);
- product certification;
- conformity assessment of products and management systems according to notifications
certification of personnel;
- organization of training and improvement of personnel development in the field of quality (testing, certification, and accreditation);
- testing of products;
- certification of ecological farms.
Packing Standards
The packing standards must conform to European legislation on the prevention of health risks to consumers and the protection of the environment, especially as regards waste treatment. Packaging in wood or vegetable matter may be subjected to a phytosanitary inspection.
If you want to export to Poland, you have to make sure that the packaging you use for your products meet all EU requirements. These requirements aim to prevent the production of packaging waste, to promote the reuse of packaging (recycling or other forms of recovering packaging waste) and as such to reduce the final disposal of such waste. The requirements mainly relate to maximum concentration levels for heavy metals contained in packaging and to labelling (marking and identification of the materials used).
The Directive lays down some essential requirements related to all packaging placed on the EU
market as well as requirements related to marking and identification (labelling of materials).
Essential requirements:
- the manufacturing and composition of packaging;
- the reusable nature of packaging;
- the recoverable nature of packaging (recycling, energy recovering, composting and
biodegradable packaging).
Commercial Invoice
No prescribed form and a minimum of two copies are required. The invoice must include:
- the name and address of seller (supplier) and consignee
- the date of the invoice and purchase
- the number, type and gross weight of packages
- the kind and quality of goods
- an invoice price for each item (showing freight and insurance separately)
- discounts and rebates
- conditions of payment
- terms of sale and delivery
- the date the invoice was prepared and the contract signed.
Many importers are authorised to use a Simplified Declaration Procedure (Immediate Release System) and may have special requirements about the presentation of invoice data. Veterinary certificates and/or plant protection certificates are required for agricultural products and foodstuffs.
CONTACTS
Marianne Drain, Standards Attaché
Tel: +32 2 811 5034
Diana Dus, Standards Specialist
Tel: +32 2 811 5001
Louis Fredricks, Commercial Assistant
Tel: +32 2 811 4194
