NAIROBI, KENYA – July 8, 2025.  

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is happy to announce a significant milestone in the discussions on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SADC Accreditation Service (SADCAS). This agreement is set to enhance conformity assessment practices and facilitate trade across the African continent by integrating ARSO’s Conformity Assessment Programme (ACAP) certification schemes into SADCAS’s accreditation services. The agreement will promote the commitment to environmental stewardship and economic development in Africa, and strengthen the ARSO-SADCAS cooperation.

The collaboration recognizes the critical role harmonised Conformity Assessment plays in ensuring the safety and quality of goods and services. It aligns with the globally accepted principles and guidelines of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), affirming a shared commitment to enhancing credibility, trust, and acceptance of conformity assessment results within Africa and globally.

In this regard, the terms of the MoU, highlight:

• That SADCAS will include the ACAP certification scheme as an accreditation scheme under its ISO/IEC 17065 (product certification) and ISO/IEC 17021-1 (management system certification) accreditation schemes.
• That SADCAS will assess and accredit Certification Bodies that certify firms under the ACAP scheme.
• Mutual benefit and interest in promoting conformity assessment in Africa, considering IAF/ILAC cross-frontier principles for cooperation with domestic accreditation bodies.
• The Administration of the Eco Mark Programme in Africa

In addition to fostering sustainable practices and promoting environmentally friendly products and services in Africa, this collaboration will significantly contribute to the enhancement of Africa’s quality infrastructure, support intra-African trade, and ensure that African goods and services are competitive and trusted on the global stage.

Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana – ARSO Secretary General, noted that, “This partnership with SADCAS is a crucial step towards strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure and promoting fair trade.” By integrating the ACAP certification scheme with SADCAS’s accreditation services, we’re not only promoting mutual recognition but also ensuring that African products and services meet international standards of quality and safety, ultimately benefiting both consumers and industries, Dr. Nsengimana Stated.”

Ms Eve Gadzikwa, the Chief Executive Officer of SADCAS noted that, “We are delighted to formalize this strategic partnership with ARSO, which underscores SADCAS’s commitment to developing accreditation capacity and ensuring competent Conformity Assessment in Africa”. “As the first multi-economy accreditation body, SADCAS plays an important role in 14 SADC Member States that lack national accreditation bodies. This MoU will, therefore, further our mandate to support regional integration, trade facilitation, and the protection of health, safety, and the environment through globally recognized accreditation, Ms Eve Gadzikwa clarified.”

About ARSO:

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) is a continental intergovernmental organization established by OAU (now AU) and UNECA in 1977. Its primary mandate is to harmonize African standards and conformity assessment procedures in order to reduce technical barriers to trade and promote intra-African and Global trade.

About SADCAS:

The SADC Accreditation Service (SADCAS) is the world’s first multi-economy accreditation body. Established as part of the SADC Quality Infrastructure, its mandate is to provide oversight for conformity assessment service providers (calibration/testing/medical laboratories, certification, and inspection bodies) in 14 SADC Member States that do not have national accreditation bodies. These countries include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. SADCAS is also mandated to develop accreditation capacity across these Member States. With seven of its nine accreditation schemes internationally recognized through signatory status in AFRAC and ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs). SADCAS plays a critical role in ensuring that imports meet internationally recognized levels of quality, performance, and safety, and in facilitating a level playing field for exports through accreditation. SADCAS Headquarters are situated in Gaborone, Botswana.