Iran Reports 432,000 Conformity Certificates: The Role of Inspection Companies in Import and Export Quality Control

Iran Reports 432,000 Conformity Certificates for Import and Export Consignments

The Head of the National Standards Organization of Iran announced on October 4, 2026 that 432,000 conformity certificates had been issued for import and export consignments.

Farzaneh Ansari also reported more than 820,000 weights and measures verification tests, alongside accreditation of more than 240 inspection companies and over 2,000 laboratories.

The figures highlight the scale of conformity assessment, inspection and laboratory activities within the Iranian trade and quality infrastructure.

More Than 240 Accredited Inspection Companies

According to the announcement, more than 240 inspection companies have obtained accreditation in Iran.

Accreditation evaluates the competence of inspection bodies within defined scopes. Relevant considerations can include technical competence, impartiality, personnel, equipment and inspection procedures.

Accreditation scopes vary between organizations and should be reviewed when selecting an inspection service provider.

The Role of Goods Inspection Companies

Goods inspection companies provide services that help buyers, sellers, manufacturers and other stakeholders assess product quantity, quality, technical characteristics and conformity with specified requirements.

Inspection may be performed at manufacturing facilities, warehouses, ports, customs locations or other relevant points in the supply chain.

Independent inspection can provide documented information about the condition of goods at the time and location of inspection.

Learn more about IGI Goods Inspection Services.

What Is a Certificate of Conformity?

A Certificate of Conformity is a document issued within a defined conformity assessment framework to state that specified requirements have been fulfilled.

Depending on the product and applicable scheme, conformity assessment may involve document review, inspection, sampling, laboratory testing or other evaluation activities.

The meaning and validity of a certificate depend on its scope, the applicable requirements and the issuing body.

Conformity Assessment for Imported Goods

Import transactions may require verification of product characteristics, technical specifications, documentation and applicable regulatory requirements.

Some products are subject to mandatory standards or specific controls. In such cases, the applicable conformity assessment procedures must be followed.

Inspection and testing can provide information to support compliance and commercial decisions.

Export Goods Inspection

Exporters may need to demonstrate that their products meet contractual specifications and relevant destination-market requirements.

Discrepancies in product quantity, quality, packaging or technical characteristics can create commercial disputes, delays and additional costs.

Inspection at appropriate stages can help identify certain issues before shipment.

Pre-Shipment Inspection

Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) is commonly used to evaluate goods before they are dispatched from their origin.

Depending on the agreed scope, inspection may cover quantity, quality, product specifications, packaging, marking and other contractual requirements.

The resulting inspection report provides information about the inspected goods under the defined inspection conditions.

During Production Inspection

Inspection is not limited to completed products.

During Production Inspection can be used to examine selected manufacturing stages, production progress and conformity with technical specifications while production is underway.

This approach can help identify potential discrepancies before manufacturing is completed.

More Than 2,000 Accredited Laboratories

Another important part of the announcement concerned the laboratory sector.

According to the Head of the National Standards Organization of Iran, more than 2,000 laboratories have obtained accreditation.

Laboratory testing supports conformity assessment by measuring characteristics that may not be adequately evaluated through visual inspection or document review alone.

Testing can cover chemical, physical, microbiological, mechanical and other technical parameters depending on the product.

Inspection and Laboratory Testing

Inspection and laboratory testing are different but complementary activities.

Inspection may evaluate product condition, quantity, packaging, documentation and selected characteristics at an inspection location.

Laboratory testing measures defined parameters using appropriate analytical methods and equipment.

Where necessary, combining both activities can provide a more comprehensive assessment of a product.

For more information, visit IGI Laboratory Services.

International Recognition of Iranian Conformity Assessment

Farzaneh Ansari also stated that Iranian conformity assessment results are recognized in more than 110 countries.

According to her remarks, international recognition can help reduce duplicate testing and facilitate certain trade procedures.

However, acceptance of a specific certificate or test report depends on its accreditation scope, relevant recognition arrangements and the regulatory or contractual requirements of the destination market.

Transition Toward Risk-Based Surveillance

The announcement also addressed the transition from traditional inspection practices toward smart regulation and risk-based surveillance.

According to the report, risk classification for products subject to mandatory standards has been finalized, and risk assessment guidance has been developed.

This approach seeks to align surveillance activities with product risks and quality performance.

Changes to Sampling and Factory Inspection

The Head of the National Standards Organization stated that the announced supervisory framework provides for periodic sampling four times per year.

Manufacturers with demonstrated quality performance may qualify for reduced sampling frequency, while non-conformity, particularly involving higher-risk products, may lead to increased inspection intensity.

The approach highlights the role of product risk and quality history in surveillance planning.

Why Representative Sampling Matters

Sampling is a critical step in many quality-control programs.

If a sample does not adequately represent a consignment, even an accurate analytical method may not provide sufficient information about the entire lot.

Sampling procedures, identification, storage, transport and documentation should therefore be selected according to the product and applicable requirements.

Inspection of Industrial Goods and Equipment

Industrial goods inspection may involve verification of technical specifications, manufacturing quality, equipment condition, documentation and other defined requirements.

Such services are relevant to manufacturing, mining, metals, oil, gas and petrochemical industries.

Learn more about IGI Industrial and Consumer Goods Inspection.

Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Inspection

Quality of equipment, materials and components is particularly important in oil, gas and petrochemical projects.

Depending on the project, inspection may be conducted during manufacturing, procurement, delivery or other defined stages.

Explore IGI Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Inspection Services.

The Role of Third-Party Inspection

Third-party inspection provides an independent assessment of goods, processes or other inspection subjects within a defined scope.

Technical competence, impartiality and clearly defined inspection requirements are important factors in the reliability of inspection results.

For commercial and industrial projects, third-party inspection can provide documented information to support conformity assessment and risk management.

IGI Goods Inspection and Laboratory Services

International Commercial Goods Inspection Company (IGI) provides professional goods inspection, quality-control and laboratory services across multiple industrial and commercial sectors.

Its inspection fields include agricultural and food products, oil, gas and petrochemicals, consumer and industrial goods, pharmaceutical and chemical products, mining and metals, and marine inspection.

For service information and inquiries, visit IGI Inspection Services or Contact IGI.

Conclusion

The reported issuance of 432,000 conformity certificates for import and export consignments, together with accreditation of more than 240 inspection companies and 2,000 laboratories, illustrates the scale of conformity assessment activities in Iran.

Goods inspection, laboratory testing and quality control can provide important technical information for manufacturers, importers, exporters and other supply-chain participants.

Selecting an appropriate inspection scope based on product characteristics and project requirements can support conformity assessment and commercial risk management.

Source: Tasnim News Agency, press briefing by the Head of the National Standards Organization of Iran, October 4, 2026.

Read the original Tasnim News Agency report