The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has engaged members of the Ghana
Electrical Dealers Association (GEDA) to brief them on certification and
discuss ways to address the trade in sub-standard electric cables.
The move forms part of the GSA’s public
sensitisation programme to promote awareness and education on national
regulation and standards for manufacturers, importers and traders.
It would further encourage dissemination of
information on the authority’s mandate and highlight the requirements of
manufacturers, importers, distributors and traders in the country.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr George Anti, Head,
Business Development Department, GSA, said the authority’s mission was to
protect consumers, facilitate trade and promote industrialisation through
standardisation, metrology and conformity assessment.
He said to be able to play the role effectively
and achieve the best results; there was the need for support from the public,
particularly traders to ensure that consumers were protected from the
consumption of inferior products.
On product certification, he said, it provided
confidence to consumers, regulators, industry and other interested parties that
products conform to specified requirements and are safe.
Product Certification facilitates trade, market
access, fair competition and consumer acceptance of products on a national,
regional and international level.
It involves the issuance of a certificate or
mark (or both) to demonstrate that a specific product meets a defined set of
requirements for that product. The certification mark is normally found on the
product packaging (label) and may also appear on the certificate issued by the
certification body.
The mark carries a reference number or name of
the relevant product standard against which the product has been certified.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is mandated
under the Standards Authority Act, 1973 to undertake conformity assessment
activities.
Mr Kwabena Nyarko, Business Development Officer,
said any one who did not comply with the law on certification, was liable on a
summary conviction to a fine of not more than GH6,000 or to a term of
imprisonment not exceeding two years.
He said certification assured consumers that
products and services were manufactured in line with national regulations.
