Catalogue of African Standards

The Catalogue of African Standards provides a full list of Standards Harmonised or Adopted in ARSO.

Catalogue of African Standards (ARS) – Version July 2024 – Download *pdf

Currently there are eight recognised African Union reconised RECs (AMU, CEN-SAD, COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC) with various standardisation infrastructures.

Role of ARSO and RECS in Standardisation

Harmonization of Standards and Technical Regulations within African

ARSO is a relevant organisation in the area of harmonization of standards and Technical Regulations within the African continent and it is especially useful in spearheading the adoption of International and African standards as a basis for incorporation into technical regulations which if not harmonized can become Technical Barriers to both intra-African and International Trade.

The RECs and Attendant Standardisation Structures

The RECs and their attendant standardisation structures are the building blocks for a solid continent-wide standardisation infrastructure as they develop regional standards applicable in their area of jurisdiction. On the other hand ARSO coordinates continent-wide harmonisation of standards to promote intra-African and global trade. The RECs in realising this onerous mandate have signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) in pursuit of the objective of increasing African share in global trade to match its current tangible resource base. This role is recognised by the African Union.

The RECs and Attendant Standardisation Structures

Under Article 3 paragraph 2 of the ARSO-RECs MoU, the parties agree that the REC shall and hereby grants recognition to ARSO as the competent body to spearhead and coordinate harmonisation of national and/or RECs standards within the continent as African Standards; and that REC shall cooperate and offer assistance to ARSO in order to realise harmonisation of national and/or RECs standards.

Under Article 3 paragraph 2 of the ARSO-RECs MoU, the parties agree that the REC shall and hereby grants recognition to ARSO as the competent body to spearhead and coordinate harmonisation of national and/or RECs standards within the continent as African Standards; and that REC shall cooperate and offer assistance to ARSO in order to realise harmonisation of national and/or RECs standards.

RECs in strong partnerships with National Bureau of Standards, as solid building blocks for African Industrialization should have effective relations with ARSO and AUC in order to promote and reinforce the role of African standardization as a tool for supporting African policies and for simplifying legislation in Africa. This will ensure the development and implementation of a common African legislation related to standardization activities.

ARSO and RECs partneships will deliver comprehensive range of African Standards and Guides for the implementation and recognition of good Conformity Assessment practices, suitable for all forms of first, second or third party involvement and evaluation, widely used by all interested parties, as well as developing a Keymark as the preferred mark of conformity to African Standards, leading to strengthening the concept of Mutual Recognition for the implementation of the principle “one standard, one test, one certificate”.