TODAY, 11 October 2024, day three of the Biashara Afrika 2024, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) participated in an exciting panel on Harmonization of Standards, Mutual Recognition Arrangements to reduce technical barriers to trade and fast-track implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

ISO Head of Capacity Building addressing the session.

Speaking at the live session, Mr Emmanuel Gatera, Ag. National Standards Division Manager representing RSB recalled that standards are developed with the involvement of the private sector to ensure they fit the businesses' context: " We develop standards that are market needs-oriented and more than 70% of the stakeholders in Standards development committees are from the Business Sector."

"We develop or adopt standards based on the request of the businesses and users. We develop standards that are market needs-oriented and more than 70% of the stakeholders in Standards development committees are from the Business Sector." Noted Mr Gatera.

Dr Hermogene Nsengimana, Secretary General of African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO) noted that standards are created to be implemented and to guarantee safety and help the economy and environment: "Standards are developed and harmonized to support in 3 key areas: safety, environment and economy. Standards are just papers if not implemented.

We are promoting One standard, One Test, One Certificate Accepted Everywhere, encouraging Mutual Recognition Arrangements between countries to avoid unnecessary retests and multiple certificates affecting businesses". Noted Dr Nsengimana.

Participants

Mr Stephen Ruzibiza, Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Federation in Rwanda remarked that standards and mutual recognition arrangements should provide solutions to ease cross-border trade and boost intra-Africa trade: "Empower Africa economically" is one of the most important aims of the AfCFTA and you can't achieve it without standards. Everyone need a standard; and ensure standards and technical regulations do not become a burden for businesses and cross-border traders" reiterated Stephen Ruzibiza/PSF Rwanda CEO.

Participants

At the session, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) noted that international standards are developed to help products move from markets to markets across the globe, and ISO has signed an MOU with ARSO to facilitate access to ISO standards and support implementation of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The panel also discussed the need to build the capacity, harmonize practices and accredit conformity assessment services including laboratory testing, inspection and certification to form the basis for mutual confidence and recognition thereto.

Participants

Participants