African Regional Organization for Standardization ARSO

1. 1 African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO) Consultative Regional Workshop on Shea Products Quality & Product Certification System Design � 6th- 8th October, 2004, Mali

2. 2 BUILDING REGIONAL ACTION FOR SHEA PRODUCTS CERTIFICATION BY Nimo Ahinkorah

3. 3 ARSO Contents Introduction What is ARSO ARSO membership Objectives Structure and administration Technical Work Planned work & Activities The ARSO-CERT Conclusion

4. 4 What is ARSO? The African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1977 to promote standardization and conformity assessment in Africa

5. 5 Objectives of ARSO To promote standardization activities in Africa To promote the harmonization of the views of its members and their contribution and participation at the international level in the field of standardization

6. 6 Objectives (Cont) To elaborate regional standards, and To promote social, industrial and economic development and provide consumer protection and human safety by advocating and establishing activities concerning standardization in Africa.

7. 7 Objectives (Cont) More specifically; to Harmonize standards so as to facilitate trade among Africa countries Elaborate regional standards for Africa with particular reference to products which are of interest to Africa

8. 8 Objectives (Cont) Promote and co-ordinate standardization, quality control, certification marking, and metrology activities and practices in Africa Promote the exchange of experts and information, co-operation in the training of personnel in standardization and the use of laboratory and research facilities

9. 9 Objectives (cont) Co-ordinate the views of its members at the ISO, IEC, OIML and other international organizations concerned with standardization, quality control, certification marking and metrology, and Provide services relating to standardization and allied matters to the members of ARSO

10. 10 Membership Opened to Member States of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Africa Union (AU) 20 State Members as at December 2003

11. 11 STRUCTURE & ADMINISTRATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNCIL SECRETARIAT

12. 12 STRUCTURE & ADMINISTRATION General Assembly � Member States General Policy, programs, activities, proposals The Council President Vice President Treasurer Secretary General Eight Elected Members

13. 13 STRUCTURE & ADMINISTRATION (Cont) The Council Guides the activities of ARSO Directs the implementation of resolutions Approves annual work programs & budgets Reviews achievements made

14. 14 STRUCTURE & ADMINISTRATION ( Cont) Secretariat Headed by Secretary General who Services the General assembly, the Council, etc provides general administration of ARSO Carries out resolutions and implements work programs and priorities

15. 15 WORK PLANS & ACTIVITIES Assistance to member states in the establishment and strengthening of national standards bodies Training Arrangements Preparation of African Regional Standards ARSO Accreditation & Certification Schemes

16. 16 WORK PLANS & ACTIVITIES ( Cont) ARSO Regional Program on Metrology ARSO Documentation & Information System Publications Promotional Work & Missions Consultancy and Subcontract Services

17. 17 ARSO NEW VISION The Vision of ARSO was also reviewed as follows: ARSO is a representative and credible focal point for standardization, conformity assessment and quality promotion in Africa to support the sustainable development of the continent. The organization is an advocate of its members� common views in international fora and delivers a valuable set of support services to national standards bodies and other stakeholders.

18. 18 ARSO NEW MISSION ARSO�s mission was reviewed as follows: ARSO is an intergovernmental organization with a mission to facilitate intra- African and global trade by promoting quality through co-ordination and harmonization of standards and conformity assessment in Africa.

19. 19 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS At the 2nd Ordinary Session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Trade held in Kigali, Rwanda, 24th -28th May 2004, ARSO was officially accepted as an Expert group on standardization. At the last ISO General Assembly in Geneva, ARSO was given the opportunity to promote its programs

20. 20 The ARSO-CERT The African Regional Organisation for Standardization (ARSO) � Certification System (ARSO-CERT) � is a contiunental-wide third party certification system for products conforming to African regional standards (ARS)

21. 21 Mandate of ARSO-CERT By Lagos Plan of Action for the Economic development of Africa. Reinforced by the treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC)

22. 22 What is a Third Party Product Certification System? Provides confidence that a marked product has been produced in an establishment operating an adequate quality system and the product complies with the relevant standard.

23. 23 Objectives of ARSO-CERT Provide a continent-wide certification system for goods produced in accordance with African Regional Standards. Improve the quality of goods produced in Africa.

24. 24 Objectives (Cont) Facilitate trade among the African countries and with outside world; Provide a forum for collaboration in certification activities in the African continent;

25. 25 LEGAL FRAMEWORK Activities under ARSO-CERT are governed by its: Constitution Rules Guides Directives issued from time to time

26. 26 MEMBERSHIP Member States through their National Standards Bodies

27. 27 AWARD OF ARSO MARK To producers On application by the producer to the NSB who is a member of ARSO-CERT. NSB shall assess, inspect, test and report If successful, NSB shall apply to ARSO to use the ARSO Mark by the producer. Surveillance shall be the responsibility of the NSB The ARSO Mark shall be affixed to a product in combination with the standard mark of the NSB

28. 28 Benefits of ARSO-CERT For the Producer; For the member state; For the continent; For the consumer in general;

29. 29 �. Thank you