The Central Laboratory for Food Safety Control (LCSSA-Benin) is taking a second step in its accreditation process to ISO CEI 17025 (2005) standard

Cotonou, BENIN, April 2017 - The LCSSA has just successfully passed its accreditation assessment by BELAC (the Belgian accreditation body). This evaluation was an opportunity to present new parameters in food microbiology and a first set of parameters in food chemistry. With that, today, accreditation of this laboratory covers 11 analytical parameters which enable it to carry out the basic health analyses required for food products.

LCSSA, whose staff had benefited from a capacity building program leaded by UNIDO in an earlier phase of the EC-funded West Africa Quality Program, was identified during the current phase as one of the region’s laboratories eligible for Community recognition within the frame of the establishment of regional reference centers. By this achievement, it has proved that its pre-selection was justified.

The ECOWAS Commission is seeking, with the support of the WAQSP, to have a network of reference laboratories that will be mandated to ensure effective conformity assessment actions, particularly in line with priority areas identified in the region (Agri-food, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, automotive mechanics). According to Chabi Sika, Director of LCSSA, "valuable advice, experience sharing and support from partners, including UNIDO, have been key to the success of this process.”