The objective of this manual is to provide producers and exporters in East Africa with:

• information related to regulations of main import countries

• information on major certification programmes

• contacts where more information on import regulations and certification schemes can be found.

In East Africa, intensive farming with the use of agrochemicals is present, particularly for cash crops. However, concerns about this agricultural practice arise in view of environmental damages, workers’ health and consumers concerns about food safety. Many private or regional East African initiatives are undertaken in order to facilitate the adoption of sustainable farming practices by producers. The certification of producers is also encouraged so that they can benefit from market opportunities. However many producers may feel that the market for certified products is very complex and that the opportunities and requirements associated with the certification programmes are not always clear. In addition, producers do not always know if the requirements are compulsory (created as an official law or regulation in the importing country) or voluntary (which means that producers/exporters choose to comply with the requirements or not). They also do not know the advantages and limitations for different types of certification. Furthermore, the large number of import requirements established by different countries makes it even more complicated for producers who want to export.