Senegal: Harmonization of compliance and certification activities within the West African Economic and Monetary Union

 

A new regulation was announced by Senegal:

Regulation No. 03/2010/CM/UEMOA on the harmonization scheme for accreditation, certification, standardization and metrology activities in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). UEMOA member states are Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

The Regulation applies to technical activities intended to ensure the quality of products and services, including standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures, accreditation and authorization procedures, and metrology in the eight WAEMU member states.

Its purpose is to define the harmonization scheme for accreditation, certification, standardization, and metrology activities within the Union. The implementation of this scheme aims to promote:

• the free movement of products and services both within the Community and in international trade, in particular by gradually eliminating inappropriate or unnecessary barriers to trade;
• the mutual recognition of national regulations and standards within a Community framework and increasing the competitiveness of products and services on the markets by creating an environment conducive to their free movement;
• the enjoyment of Member States’ rights and compliance with their obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements and other cooperation agreements;
• Creativity and innovation, the development of trade in products and services subject to intellectual property rights, the promotion of sustainable development, and consumer protection;
• Strengthening the capacities of Member States in the development and implementation of regulations relating to accreditation, certification, standardization, and metrology with the aim of promoting quality;
• Participation of WAEMU Member States in the activities of international and regional standardization, accreditation, and metrology organizations.

To find out more about product compliance in Africa, do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.