2009-12-30 CONNECTIONS IN RUSSIA

A growing number of European firms eager to access Russia’s vast markets are tapping in to Kiwa’s Russian connections. New clients include Hugo Boss, Siemens Group and SMS. In order to help these exporters in successfully navigating Russia’s certification regulations, Kiwa is currently setting up a joint venture with an accredited Russian certification institute with offices in Germany.

The accredited Russian sister company has the qualifications and expertise needed to help European exporters navigate Russian regulations, while Kiwa will continue to focus on its own support services in Europe. The reason Kiwa has opted for a joint venture with a Russian partner is that Russian law does not allow for foreign certification institutes like Kiwa to be accredited in Russia. “A joint venture with a qualified Russian partner is the best alternative”, says Mathias Braendle, Kiwa´s Head of Product Certification Russia.

Long-term partnership
European exports to Russia are growing expansively. Coping with the country´s 19 mandatory certification systems and over 300 voluntary systems, of which the GOST-R Certificate of Conformity is the most common, can be quite a challenge. Many exporters lacking complete and correct documents and certificates end up spending large amounts of time and money at customs. As a certification institute with broad international knowledge, Kiwa has the expertise EU export companies need to avoid such troubles.

The new joint venture completes this service package, as the Russian sister company with offices in Germany can help exporters obtain all the appropriate certification from the inside. “Kiwa will offer support to clients on this side of the line, while the actual orders for Russian certification will go to our sister company”, explains Braendle. As Russian law precluding foreign accreditation is not likely to change in the near future, Braendle expects the partnership currently being negotiated to be a long-term one.

Growing numbers
Kiwa´s efforts to acquire more business among eastbound exporters meanwhile are paying off. A growing number of European companies representing a variety of branches are making use of Kiwa´s Russian connections to expand their activities. The building industry is a major growth sector for Kiwa, with exports of construction materials like concrete and steel, plastic and metal pipes. Kiwa´s expertise with household gas equipment is also being harnessed for Russian exports. Siemens has contracted Kiwa for certification support in engineering exports and in the metallurgy sector SMS Group, a Germany-based multinational manufacturer of machinery and plants for the steel and plastics extrusion industries, has also knocked on Kiwa´s door. Fashion firm Hugo Boss is making use of Kiwa´s expertise to market textiles among the Russians.

More information:
mathias.braendle@kiwa.de