Compliance with quality and standards in the East African Community (EAC): Regional consultative workshop

Representatives of six Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) - Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania, the East African Community Secretariat, Delegation of the European Union to Kenya, representatives of the East African Business Council (EABC) as well as technical advisors on quality compliance and standards from the International Trade Centre (ITC) committed to bolster efforts aimed at improving quality compliance and standards in the EAC region.

Convening for a regional consultative workshop held from 12-13 February in Nairobi, Kenya, and officially opened by the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Hon. Annette Ssemuwemba, the 47 participants also agreed to prioritize these efforts during the first year of the European Union- East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme’s second phase (EU-EAC MARKUP II).

The project activities, aligned with the EAC priorities and the roadmaps of the EA Standards Committee, Technical Subcommittees and Taskforces. will help improve coordination and access to testing and certification services, enhance mutual recognition of registration and certification schemes, improve harmonization of standards and food safety measures. Border inspection capacities will also be strengthened along provision of support to some critical services of Quality Infrastructures at country level. Quality and safety culture will also be promoted through the EAC Quality Awards and awareness campaigns.

Participants agreed that the EU-EAC MARKUP II is an opportunity for the private sector to collaborate with the public sector in enhancing access to the EU market and contribute to economic growth of the EAC region.

About EU-EAC MARKUP

The EU-EAC MARKUP II funded by the EU, aims to enhance economic development in the East African Community (EAC) through sustainable intra-African and EU-Africa trade. Focused on improving livelihoods, employment, and export competitiveness for MSMEs, the program supports the development of key export-oriented value chains for coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, gum arabic, essential oils, packaging, leather, avocado, fresh and processed horticultural products. The second phase targets strengthening MSMEs' competitiveness, emphasizing value addition and diversification, and addressing market regulations and environmental and social criteria.

It is implemented by ITC in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat.