1. Assessing the state of quality infrastructure in ECOWAS member states

The regional component of WACOMP implemented by UNIDO completed the recruitment of forty-seven (47) national Quality Infrastructure experts for the selected value chains in all the member states. Their missions part of the general objective of strengthening the competitiveness of West Africa and the process of integration of countries into the regional and international trading system.

The specific objectives of the mission were to identify:

• Relevant products in the value chain;

• Quality control bodies in the value chain;

• Existing standards, Technical regulations and methods of analysis;

• The quality needs of the different stages of the value chain.

The experts were responsible for collecting existing data on the Quality Infrastructure, in particular on standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment bodies (test methods and laboratories, inspection, certification) linked to value chains selected, based on a questionnaire sent to them by UNIDO.

Their tasks were to:

• Identify the main services relevant to companies in the value chain (mango, cassava and derivatives, textiles and clothing) in their countries.

• Identify and meet the main companies in the value chain and determine the quality problems related to their services, including possible solutions to these challenges

• Identify, locate and meet the main government structures, relevant institutions in the governance of these value chains in their respective countries, in order to establish existing standards;

• Identify and meet the main service providers of selected value chain companies, including multinational companies and MSMEs.

Efforts were made to ensure that the experts effectively collect data from the countries without hindrance and in consultation with concerned national ministries (Trade, Industry and Agriculture), institution, European delegation and WACOMP national focal points. The experts were also issued individual introduction letters. It is important to note that by the end of March 2020, 39 expert for Mango, Cassava & derivatives, Textile and Garments had received questionnaires, 27 of which sent their reports for further evaluation by the WACQIP in March. ICT experts receivedquestionnaires at the beginning of April. It is also anticipated to receive all reports from the national experts by the end of April 2020

 The results of their work will contribute to the achievement of result 1.4 through activity 1.4.1. Consolidation of ongoing support and improvement of regional quality infrastructure to develop and implement standards and regulations. 1.4.2 supporting the establishment of regional reference laboratories and 1.4.3 promotions of the ECOWAS certification mark. Indeed, they have been in the field since February 2020 to conduct questionnaires surveys produced by UNIDO

Regional experts have started to synthesize their reports.

 

Monday, April 13, 2020 - 17:30

This program is funded by the European Union with the technical support of UNIDO, the implementing Agency

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Commision of the European Union

Copyright - 2019 - ECOWAS AGENCY FOR QUALITY

1. Assessing the state of quality infrastructure in ECOWAS member states | ECOWAQ

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