V O L U M E 4 AFRAC NEWS - ENAO publication was initially drafted by Mr Neville Tayler (SANAS - Accreditation ... South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America,

1

I am delighted to present to you this fourth edition of AFRAC News. This edition features the progress AFRAC has made since its inception. Since the first five year strategic plan for AFRAC is coming to an end it is good for us to take stock as we develop the second 5 year strategic plan under the guidance of the Chair. We all attest to the fact that AFRAC has grown, its systems have developed and its members continue to embed accreditation in their economies and those they support. We also attest to the fact that we are continuing to improve as evidenced in the write up on the six eLearning-modules that have been developed to enable Accreditation Bodies, National Accreditation Focal points and Conformity Assessment bodies perform at their best as they tap into the knowledge repository at the click of a button.

As you flip through you will find articles on our engagements both regionally and internationally, as well as articles on what is happening in our economies in addition to show casing the celebrations that happened within the continent in commemoration of the World Accreditation Day. Additionally in acting on your feedback,; which you desired to know more about Accreditation Bodies in Africa and which we started running at the previous edition, this edition show cases two more AB’s i.e. KENAS and MAURITAS.

I want to thank all the contributors who ensured that the articles were availed in time. I count on you to provide feedback to the AFRAC Secretariat on what more you would like to see, and or what you would like to see improved to make AFRAC News a preferred read. Feel free to get in touch with any of the below representatives who are members of the AFRAC Marketing and Communications Working Group (AFRAC MCWG) or the AFRAC Secretariat to submit your articles:

Ms. Susanah Munyiri (Convenor - KENAS)

Ms. Fikile Skosana (AFRAC Secretariat - SANAS)

Mr. Moez Boughlami (TUNAC)

Mr. Getnet Tsigemelak (ENAO)

Ms. Cheshta Matadeen-Domun (MAURITAS)

Ms. Jeanne Francoise Ranorovelo (SADCAS)

Eng. Mohammed Hassan (EGAC)

Ms. Elizabeth Muema (KENAS)

Mr. Ibra Fail Gaye (LSAHE)

We hope that the content is informative and that it gives you a feel of what is happening on matters “Accreditation “across the continent. Feel free to circulate it to those who may be of interest. Enjoy your read.

Susanah Munyiri

AFRAC MCWG Convener

AFRAC NEWS

Notes from the Editor

V O L U M E 4 — A U G U S T 2 0 1 6

2

Over the past 5 years AFRAC has made substantial progress towards becoming an ILAC/IAF recognized region through the implementation of its 2012/13 to 2016/17 strategic plan. The focus on the strategic plan was the operationalization of AFRAC through the development of a sound organizational management system, appropriate procedures and the roll out of the AFRAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

As this year signal the end of the first 5 year strategic plan, we can look back with pride on our achievements. AFRAC is now a fully operational regional cooperation with its management system and associated procedures in place as well as an operational MRA which was signed by 4 accreditation bodies namely EGAC, TUNAC, SANAS and SADCAS. The AFRAC peer evaluation by ILAC and IAF is now scheduled for the end of 2016, where after AFRAC will become a recognized peer evaluated regional accreditation

cooperation in its own right. All the above achievements place AFRAC in a good position towards providing confidence in Africa’s conformity assessment and accreditation systems. For Africa, where only a few accreditation bodies have been established, AFRAC is now the voice of the region in international accreditation fora, and will facilitate accreditation capacity development on the continent.

The AFRAC MRA and cooperation lay the basis on which accreditation can support Africa’s economic growth through effective participation in global trade by ensuring the acceptance of Africa’s goods and services in importing countries. International recognition of Africa’s quality infrastructure is essential. Africa’s Quality Infrastructure (AQI) encompasses metrology, standards, accreditation and conformity assessment.

For the purposes of trade, assurance of product quality and safety is derived from the product’s compliance to standards and/or technical regulations. Such compliance is determined through conformity assessment: i.e. testing, calibration, certification and inspection. For the global acceptance of test and calibration certificates; certification and inspection reports, the competence of those providing conformity assessment services should never be in doubt. This competence is confirmed through accreditation.

Accreditation contributes to the development of a solid basis for effective participation in the global market and for regional integration in Africa through facilitating acceptance of test, calibration, inspection and certification results issued by such bodies. A strong African cooperation in accreditation would enhance intra-Africa trade and also help ensure the acceptance of Africa’s goods and services in export countries through recognition of Africa’s conformity assessment infrastructure as equivalent to those in other countries. An African cooperation would also assist and support the regulatory sector with accreditation services for public health, safety and protection of the environment.

Ron Josias

AFRAC Chair

Message from the

AFRAC Chair

3

AFRAC held its 2016 Mid-Year meetings from 30 May – 1 June 2016 at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The meetings were hosted by the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) an AFRAC Full Member. The AFRAC Executive Committee and Technical Committee held their meetings during the course of the Mid-year meetings.

The Executive Committee meeting took place on 30 May and 1 June 2016 to review and finalize the draft AFRAC Strategic Plan (2017/18 – 2021/22) which will be approved at the 7th AFRAC General Assembly Meeting planned to be held on 30 September 2016. The Executive Committee also reviewed the AFRAC finances and proposed that the General Assembly approve that AFRAC levies fixed fees for AFRAC Membership while an accurate fee formula is being developed.

The Technical Committee reviewed the newly approved Technical Publication: TP001-01 Accreditation of National Metrology Institutes by AFRAC Accreditation Bodies. The publication was initially drafted by Mr Neville Tayler (SANAS - Accreditation Manager). The publication is available on the AFRAC website (http://www.intra-afrac.com/?page_id=43) on the Publications page under the heading Technical Publications. The Technical Committee has committed to develop more publications in support of the AFRAC MRA scopes in the future. The Technical Committee also drafted their five-year plan which will guide their activities for the next coming 5 years (2017 – 2022). The 7th AFRAC General Assembly and meetings will be held from 25 – 30 September 2016 at the Reiz Continental Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. The meetings will be hosted by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) a Stakeholder Member of AFRAC.

Delegates attending the Technical Committee Meeting AFRAC Internal Audit

AFRAC was audited from 1 – 5 June 2016 at the Silver Springs Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya by an independent Internal Auditor. The last Internal Audit took place in December 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. The purpose of the Internal Audit was to evaluate the following Secretariat functions:

AFRAC’s Management System;

AFRAC’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement;

Implementation of the AFRAC Peer Evaluation processes; and

AFRAC’s compliance with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) requirements and AFRAC procedures.

AFRAC received five (5) non-conformances, seven (7) concerns and nine (9) comments from the Internal Audit. An AFRAC corrective actions plan was drafted and will be implemented to ensure that the finding are addressed and closed before AFRAC is Peer Evaluated by the International Laboratory accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

Fikile Skosana

AFRAC Secretariat

AFRAC Mid-Year

Meetings 2016

http://www.intra-afrac.com/?page_id=43

4

IMPROVE YOUR ACCREDITATION KNOWLEDGE AND BECOME INSTRUMENTAL IN AFRICA’s ACCREDITATION COOPERATION EFFORTS – THE AFRAC E-LEARNING PROGRAMME TO BE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER 2016

In an increasingly competitive and challenging global market, it is imperative for Africa to fast- track the development of national and regional accreditation infrastructure on the continent. The development of internationally recognized accreditation structures is critical to ensure full integration into the world trading system, for enhanced global and regional market access and accelerated economic growth.

For this purpose AFRAC has embarked on establishing and facilitating capacity building in accreditation, with the goal of sustaining an internationally acceptable Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). AFRAC comprehensive and progressive E-Learning Programme aims at sharing valuable knowledge and experience in a cost-effective manner.

The AFRAC E-Learning Programme will be launched in September 2016 and will be available online via the AFRAC website. The E-Learning programme will bring together knowledge of all aspects relevant to Accreditation, Conformity Assessment and MRA’s for Africa in one user-friendly, easily and freely accessible platform. Focused on building capacity in accreditation cooperation in Africa, the E-Learning programme will comprise six courses which will be customized in a systematic way to facilitate knowledge transfer efficiently and conveniently.

Stakeholders, leaders, decision-makers, influencers and workers within the accreditation fraternity, as well as any individuals interested in the industry, may enroll for one or all six courses. This self-study programme will allow learners to acquire knowledge and complete each course at their own pace and from anywhere in the world.

The programme will provide ample information, reading material as well as video interviews. Upon successful completion of each course, learners will receive certification which may be essential as a pre-requisite for other courses and further AFRAC training. The modules are:

1. ACCREDITATION IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE: Provides a general understanding of how accreditation of CABs plays a

role in supporting international trade in goods and services

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ISO/IEC 17011 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF ACCREDITATION BODIES THAT ACCREDIT CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES: Provides a general understanding of the principles of the requirements for Abs accrediting CABs.

3. ESTABLISHING AND EFFICIENTLY MANAGING A NEW ACCREDITATION BODY: Provides a generic understanding of the inputs required for establishing and efficiently managing a new AB.

4. TRAINING OF NATIONAL ACCREDITATION FOCAL POINTS (NAFPs): Provides training for NAFP’s to promote and participate in the work of AFRAC, raise awareness about the importance of accreditation among national stakeholders that have an interest in quality and support the CAB’s in their respective economies that want to apply for accreditation.

5. TOOLKIT FOR CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES (CABs) IN THE PROCESS OF PAREPARING FOR ACCREDITATION: Provides a generic understanding of the route towards accreditation for CABs.

6. PEER EVALUATOR TRAINING: Provides preliminary training for Peer Evaluators to obtain the necessary background knowledge as a pre-requisite for AFRAC’s Classroom Peer-Evaluator Training Course.

Dr. Elsabe Steyn

AFRAC Secretariat

AFRAC e-Learning Programme

5

The ILAC Marketing and Communications committee (ILAC MCC) and IAF Communications and Marketing Committee (IAF CMC) held their mid-year meetings in South Africa, Pretoria from 18th – 22nd April 2016 under the auspices of South African Development Community Service (SADCAS). The meeting had delegates from Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The meeting commenced with a marketing and communications workshop that was facilitated by seasoned marketing professionals of ILAC and IAF: Jon Murthy (UKAS, UK), Marcus Long (IIOC, UK), Sylvana Ricciarini (A2LA, USA), Wanji Yang (TAF, Taiwan), Damien Pillay (Bureau Veritas, SA). The workshop focused on use of cost effective and reliable communication channels that can be used to promote accreditation and subsequently the ILAC MRA and IAF MLA. The discussions revolved around current media engagements, effective use of social media platforms, communication and marketing campaigns and how these can be utilised in a cost effective manner while including social media platforms. The team shared on the application of these tools in their economies and how they also celebrated last year’s World Accreditation Day and the plans that we were in place for the 2016 one. There was also an important session that explained in detail the various levels of stakeholders and customers with respect to the communication channel of choice e.g. social media, mainstream media for two –way engagement.

ILAC MCC/ILAC CMC attendees

ILAC MCC / IAF CMC mid-year meetings are normally set to work on items that drive the marketing and communication programs within ILAC and IAF. Members engage actively in the review and progression of documents used to promote and maintain MLAs/MRAs. These working sessions are geared towards realizing greater output from participants in order to speed generation and approval of the marketing and promotional materials. Several documents and promotional items were reviewed and reports on social media engagement as well as website statistics reports were presented. Proposals for WAD 2017 themes were tabled and an all rounded theme selected on the basis of impact from a number of accredited schemes. This will be presented to the Executive committees for further review and unveiled at General Assembly in October 2016.

Susanah Munyiri

AFRAC MCWG Convener

ILAC & IAF Marketing and Com-

munication Mid-Year Meetings

6

Kenya has the largest and most diverse economy in East Africa growing at an average rate of 6% per year. Kenya launched its Vision 2030 in the year 2008 which a long-term development blue print and a follow-up of the previous Economic Re-covery Strategy. Expansion and diversification of domestic and export trade, expanding and strengthening public-private partnerships and improvement of business and investment climate including trade facilitation, just to name a few are key deliverables of this blue print as is seen in its implementation plans and sectoral policy derivatives. It is with this grounding that it was seen important to enhance capacity and capability of the Quality Infrastructure institutions in Kenya namely Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) and Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). The project was implemented under the framework of the ACP-EU-TBT (African-Caribbean – Pacific – European Union- Technical Barriers to Trade) Programme and financed by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund. The project started in November 2015 and ended on May 2016 under the implementation of Prysma.

The overall objective of this project was to enhance Kenya’s Quality Infrastructure for facilitation of trade. The specific ac-tions involved enhancing the understanding and articulation of WTO TBT and Trade Facilitation Agreements. Several work-shops were conducted to articulate the nature, scope and importance of transparency obligations, requirements for notifi-cations and use of Notify Kenya as well as the challenges faced in implementation. It was noted that there was a lot of infor-mation that was available electronically which trade players can tap into enhanced institutional capacity through attach-ment of staff to various accreditation bodies, supporting attendance of key meetings in accreditation and standards devel-opment, training of assessors, experts and industry in technical areas like method validation and uncertainty of measure-ments. The support also helped establish an Inter-Laboratory Comparison Scheme for high precision calibration laboratories, the first in the country in cooperation with the National Metrology Institute. Even though regulatory review was not part of the program as initially crafted, the project enabled a critical review of the current EAC –SQMT Act which has transitioned into the EAC SACA bill that is awaiting final review by the EAC Standards Committee and East Africa Accreditation Board be-fore forwarding to the legislative assembly.

The key results were achieved, with additional tasks performed according to the schedule that was agreed upon. It was agreed that there is need to for all to support regional integration and relations to advance trade, industrial policy and eco-nomic development objectives.

Technical Training underway

ACP-EU-TBT Capacity Building

of Quality Infrastructure in Kenya

7

Technical Training underway Inter-laboratory Comparisons

The key results were achieved, with additional tasks performed according to the schedule that was agreed upon. It was agreed that there is need to for all to support regional integration and relations to advance trade, industrial policy and economic development objectives.

The closing meeting attended by KENAS, KEBS and other Stakeholders

Sara Mennozi

International Cooperation-Prysma

V O L U M E 4 — A U G U S T

8

Celebrated on the 9th of June every year, this years theme as jointly declared by ILAC and IAF, Accreditation: A Global Tool to Support Public Policy” saw a number of events across the continent as follows:

ENAO organized a one day Seminar at the Eliliy International Hotel, which was attended by 120 participants including House of people representatives and other invited guests. The State Minister of Science and Technology graced the occasion and gave the opening remarks at the where he stressed on the need for accurate, reliable and timely service by conformity assessments using international standards for global acceptance in order to achieve the second Growth and Transformational Plan (GTP II) for the country which was developed with emphasis on quality. He called upon the Government and Private conformity assessment bodies to ensure and attest their technical competency by third party attestation body which is Ethiopian National Accreditation Office. Two CABs: Hayat Hospital and Medical College Laboratory and Regional Bioequivalence Share Company received their accreditation certificate from the Minister.

The Director General ENAO, Mr. Araya Fesseha in his remarks, indicated that ENAO has been delivering an Accreditation service for the last five years in the scope of Medical, Testing laboratories and Inspection. He also indicate that ENAO has put in place a system that supports new product introductions such as: Certification accreditation specifically on System certification (ISO/IEC 17021), Product certification (ISO/IEC17065), certification for person (ISO/IEC 17024), and also on Calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025). He stressed on the fact that the agrarian based Ethiopian economy can be transformed into an industrial one if focus is put on: soil characterization to improve yields; agro processing to quality requirements and mentioned the organizations at play being: scheme developers ( standard agency, regulatory, associations, International organizations), implementers ( household and / or mechanized farmers), scheme compliance verifiers ( certification bodies) competence verifier (ENAO, Accreditation Body). Dr Franz Hengstberger, the Senior Adviser – in the Ministry of Science and Technology has gave a presentation on “Accreditation: a global tool to support public policy” and informed how different countries use accreditation to support public policy and in decision making.

The presenters noted that it is the responsibility of government to ensure that the environment is protected and there is enhanced public health and safety in addition to fair market. In this regard it was noted that accreditation supports for the risk based regulations, because the processes involved often provides feedback which subsequently allows the government to target its interventions in the area of greatest need. Additionally it was noted that accreditation can also support risk based

World Accreditation Day

Celebrations

Ethiopian National Accreditation

Office (ENAO)

9

management and brand recognition since accurate measurements and tests carried out in compliance with best practices limit product failure and down time thereby helping to control costs of production.

Director General ENAO, Eng. Araya Fesseha with his guests

Getnet Tsigemelak

ENAO

KENAS held a breakfast meeting at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi, a meeting that was attended by Policy makers and shapers, regulators and other stakeholders. While the theme for WAD 2016 was wide, KENS narrowed down to the thorny issues that were affecting the economy; the menace on our roads, the indiscipline in the construction industry; these impacting the health and safety of the citizenry. While we all know that Policies shape an economy’s outlook to things, most of the policies developed to support the public good are operationalized through well thought out laws and regulations which if applied correctly can propel an economy from one level to another.

In his presentation the Deputy Director of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) went through the statistics of our road carnage and what needs to be done to reduce the same. He stated that road injuries are a public burden and if not checked traffic accidents will be the 5th killer in the hierarchy of causes of death by the year 2030. It was agreed that proper policy direction and enhancing regulation through accommodating accreditation of inspection and verification bodes would be of value. It was noted that KENAS and NTSA have already started working on a MoU which will see the two institutions influence policy in relation to traffic and work on the regulations that are currently in draft to bring sanity on our roads.

Kenya Accreditation Service

(KENAS)


Celebrations

10

WAD 2016 attendees Accredited clients exhibitions

Accredited clients exhibitions Panel discussions

Additionally the National Construction Authority (NCA), through Eng. Aketch narrated the works that the regulator is putting in place with respect to knowledge, skills and capability enhancement of construction workers and supervisors to try and eliminate the rate of collapsing buildings in the country. While he admitted that non-compliance to regulations was evident, he stated that lack of cooperation with the county government was a big contributor too where certain requirements are not checked leading to shortcuts. The speed of execution of inspection activities and dealing with outcomes especially when adverse is wanting. There are cases of multiplicity of roles within county governments and national governments. KENAS in its presentation stated that collaborative efforts and focusing on accredited inspection services will help eliminate the multi-plicity of roles since once an inspection is done by an accredited entity, both the county and national government can rely on the same report to inform actions, decisions and even policy. It was agreed that KENAS and NCA continues with the dis-cussions post the event to see how the two institutions can support each other realize their goals.

There were presentations from Manufacturing as well highlighting on how accreditation can support public policy. The man-ufacturers stated that they are happy to embrace accreditation of their conformity assessment activities so long as this facil-itates trade. The stated however that the accreditation fees are high and that government should support KENAS engage-ments in order for the fees charged to be affordable.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Gitahi, the group CEO of AMREF Health Africa, highlighted the importance of accreditation in the health sector reiterating that quality health services can only be provided through consistency, accuracy of test results, reliability and competence of medical practitioners and this can be achieved through accreditation. He equated accreditation as an assurance mechanism similar to that of breastmilk to the baby: It is quality assured, at the right temperature, with the right consistency, in a manner that nurtures the child to grow in the desired manner. Both the mother and the child have no doubt whatsoever to its quality and outcome: and so should this be of accreditation and trade; accreditation and health; accreditation and safety; accreditation and environmental protection.



Celebrations

11

CEO, KENAS giving his remarks Group CEO, AMREF Health Africa, giving the

Key note Address

Abraham Wekesa

KENAS

Mauritius Accreditation Service (MAURITAS) organized a half-day seminar that was attended by 60 participants from Testing and Calibration Laboratories, Certification and Inspection bodies. In attendance too were guests from the National Standards body, Regulatory Authorities and other governmental bodies. MAURITAS did a presentation related to the theme. There were also presentations from the Forensic Science Laboratory, and National Environmental Laboratory on accreditation as a tool that helps Government to support public policy in the areas of public security and environment protection respectively.

Horizontal Banner of World Accreditation Day 2016 Director of MAURITAS delivering his speech during the World Accreditation Day 2016


Mauritius Accreditation Service

(MAURITAS)


Celebrations

12

Guests and Participants Presentation by National Environmental Laboratory

The video film jointly prepared by ILAC and IAF for the occasion of World Accreditation Day 2016 was also played during the event. Furthermore, an award ceremony was held where certificates of accreditation were handed over by the Minister to three (3) newly accredited laboratories.

Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) Laboratories Alteo Refinery Ltd Laboratory (Testing Field:Chemical)

(Testing Field: Chemical)

Les Moulins de la Concorde Ltee Laboratory (Testing Field: Food Testing)

Celebration of the World Accreditation Day 2016 raised awareness among the personnel of the laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies and also brought to focus the importance of accreditation and how accreditation could be used as a tool to support Public Policy by Government in order to deliver better regulation, environment protection, public safety, fair and efficient markets and public trust.

Chesta Matadeen

MAURITAS



Celebrations

13

The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) celebrated World Accreditation Day at the forever Hotel in Centuri-on, South Africa, as a breakfast meeting that was attended by the Chief-Director from the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Dr Tshenge Demana, SANAS board members, the CEO of the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) Mr Ndwakhula Mukhufhi, Ms Milly Ruiters from the Department of Labour and Mr Rudolf Brits who is a World Trade Organization – Technical Barriers to Trade (WTO TBT) representative from the dti as well as various other regulators and government repre-sentatives.

In line with the theme, the topics presented covered the importance of national policies; the overarching one being the 9-point Plan that was announced by the President during the 2015 State of the Nation Address. The plan was to set South Africa onto a higher growth trajectory. The dti is leading in three areas of the 9-point Plan being advancing mineral beneficiation or adding value to South Africa’s mineral resources, scaling up private sector investment and the implementation of a higher impact In-dustrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). Dr Demana confirmed that during the current difficult and tough economic conditions it is imperative that the national accredited conformity assessment bodies (CAB) network is at par with international requirements in order for international trading and exchange of services to continue with ease. Accreditation by SANAS, as a key element of the South African technical infrastructure framework, has a major role to play in the country’s economy as follows:

SANAS will facilitate South Africa’s industrialisation efforts through the accreditation of a pool of accredited conformity assessment bodies to avoid expensive re-testing, re-certification or re-inspection in the manufacturing sector and facili-tate the acceptance of conformity assessment results. This will ensure measurement accuracy, verify compliance with specifications, grant access to international markets and give the sector a competitive edge.

SANAS will support the IPAP sectors (Agro-processing, textiles & clothing, plastics, chemicals, energy and high technolo-gy sectors including the green economy, information and communication Technology and advanced manufacturing) to comply with the regulations of the regulators of health, safety and environment, such as workplace safety, occupational hygiene regulations and energy efficiency.

The SANAS Board Chair noted that SANAS accreditation delivers confidence in the manufacturing sectors of South Africa since it ensures that products are of high quality, comply with regulations and standards, and meet customer’s needs. The use of accredited services in the manufacturing process is aimed at minimizing product failures and recalls, as well as to support ac-cess to markets. He stated that SANAS accredits:

Testing and calibration laboratories that support the manufacturing process through component testing, product testing, and calibration and dimensional testing to ensure accurate measurement; Testing and calibration underpins the production of many products from food products, plastics, fuels and oils, detergents, paints and coatings, consumer goods, textiles, glass, cosmetics, construction products and electronic goods.

Certification bodies that provide supply-chain confidence for those operating in the manufacturing sector. These include Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems Certification (EMS), Energy Management Systems (EnMS), Occupational Health, Safety Management Systems (OHSAS), Information Security Management Sys-tems (ISMS) and Information Technology Service Management Systems (ITSMS).


South African National Accredita-

tion System (SANAS)


Celebrations

14

Inspection bodies that provide inspection services to manufacturers such as measurement and verification of energy efficiency, inspection of occupational hygiene at the workplace, valves, pressure systems, storage vessels and tanks and the transport of dangerous goods by rail or road in pressure vessels.

He stated that the use of accreditation to support public policy implementation in South Africa is growing and that SANS works closely with: The Department of Labour to support their public policy responsibilities such as work place safety; The Depart-ment of Water Affairs to ensure water quality; National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications to ensure safety of fish and food products, electro-technical products as well as automotive vehicles and components; The Department of Health to en-sure compliance of blood services in South Africa; Over the past year, SANAS worked with the Department of Health and the Medical Control Council in finalizing the regulations for medical devices. The accreditation programme that SANAS will devel-op for the certification of medical devices is important for the medical device manufacturing industry in South Africa. The in-dustry is still relatively small but has been identified as an IPAP sector that has the potential to grow.

In his closing remark, the CEO of SANAS mentioned that the day’s discussions only touched the tip of what SANAS does to sup-port public policy. SANAS’ international recognition covers more than 112 economies around the world, and plays a leadership role in accreditation matters on our continent through the chairmanship of the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) and as SADC Regional Coordinator for accreditation. SANAS is well positioned to support your health, safety and environmental protection policy mandate as well as to support industry development and government with growing our economy.

Dr. Elsabe Steyn

SANAS

This year WAD activities in the SADC region ranged from seminars/conferences, press releases, television to radio interviews, street marches to targeted marketing visits. World Accreditation Day conferences were held in 5 countries namely: Botswana; Lesotho; Swaziland; Zambia and Zimbabwe. In preparation for the commemorations SADCAS provided all National Accredita-tion Focal points (NAFPs) with a press release, WAD conference template and text to a speech which was to be made by a SAD-CAS representative. Below are the key highlights of the celebrations as happened in various economies:

In Botswana WAD Commemorations were celebrated as a mini-conference with an exhibition in Jwaneng. The conference was attended by over 61 stakeholders from different conformity assessment bodies from the health, engineering and food pro-cessing sectors from both the private and public sectors as well various regulators. The conference was organized by the De-partment of Industrial Affairs, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry under which the National Accreditation Focal Point for Botswana is housed. Prior to the WAD commemorations a press release on WAD was distributed to various media houses to promote the 2016 WAD. The commemorations were also promoted by holding a consultative meeting on the 24 th of May 2016 at the Office of the District Commissioner (ODC) which was attended by the Jwaneng Town Leadership from ODC, Jwaneng Town Council, Tribal Administration, and Jwaneng Chamber of Commerce (JCC). Several follow-up meetings to update the District Commissioner`s office and the Jwaneng Town Mayor`s office were also conducted during the week to update them


Southern African Development

Community Accreditation Service

(SADCAS)


Celebrations

15

on the progress of the preparations. This was followed by six presentations from the following institutions namely; National Food Control Laboratory (NFCL), Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), Botswana National Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Occupational Health and Safety (DOH&S); Botswana Bureau of Standards and Department of Clinical Services, Ministry of Health (MOH). There were also 4 exhibitors at the event.

Part of the audience during the workshop. Ms J Ranorovelo SADCAS Technical Manager

delivering the key note address

Department of Drug Regulatory Unit stall

DRC’s WAD celebrations focused on the support accreditation delivers as a tool to support national and local government and regulators. The NAFP sent the French versions of WAD video and brochure to over 100 stakeholders. On 14 June 2016, her Ex-cellency Mrs. Néfertiti NGUDIANZA BAYOKISA KISULA, the Minister of Trade chaired the inaugural ceremony of a new mineral laboratory of Office Congolais de Contrôle ‘’OCC’’ located in Luisha Bungubungu near Likasi City – Haut Katanga Province. The event was attended by the Ministry’s Senior Officials, the NAFP –DRC and the Chairman of the National Laboratory Association of DRC, ASCOLAB.

Her Excellence Ms NBK Néfertiti cutting the ribbon to The new OCC laboratory

mark the official opening of the new OCC laboratory



Celebrations

16

Lesotho WAD was celebrated on 29 June 2016, and was attended by forty five (45) people from 21 organizations amongst them stakeholders from various Government ministries and regulators, private and public laboratories and the media. The Office of the Principal Secretary – Ministry of Trade and Industry presided on the official opening of the commemoration and thereafter the presentations were made by different organizations. The event was televised on TV Lesotho channel. One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of certificates 25 candidates who attended the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard Training and Auditing held in December 2015.

Mr Rabolinyane giving welcome remarks ISO/IEC 17025 training course participant receiving certificate

Madagascar an article about the WAD was developed in French, and was published in Newsletter of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For cost effectiveness, Madagascar intends to organize a ceremony to commemorate the World Accreditation Day together with the World Standards Day on October 14th 2016 in the west region of Madagascar.

Mozambique commemorated WAD on the 9th of June 2016 through a press release which was published in Portuguese in the electronic media Horizonte and Journal Fair Play Mozambique.

Swaziland commemorated the WAD on the 29th of June, 2016. The NAFP engaged the Cabinet, Principal Secretaries, members of Parliament and Regulators for the commemoration of the World Accreditation Day. A Cabinet paper was prepared to sensitize the Cabinet on the importance of accreditation and the role accreditation plays in policy formulation. A breakfast meeting was held at Sibane hotel where 80 people were in attendance.

Ms PP Dlamini giving a speech on behalf of the Minister Ms S Dlamini delivering her speech on behalf of SADCAS



Celebrations

17

The event was a success and it ended up at a high note with most delegates still longing to hear more on accreditation. The event was widely publicized before and after in the Swazi Observer and Swazi Times.

Zambia The WAD workshop was held at Southern Sun Hotel in Lusaka and was officially opened by Mr Tobias Mulimbika, Director- Industry in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. In his opening remarks, the Director thanked the UNIDO- Trade Capacity Building Framework for Zambia and Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) for the valuable role they have played in facilitating the commemoration of the 2016 World Accreditation Day. A series of presentations were made by SADCAS and ZABS, followed by the 2016 video on WAD and browsing through the public sector website by NAFP, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. There were presentations that were made by various stakeholders in industry regarding accreditation: supporting safe drinking water: supporting sustainable animal health: ensuring the quality of building materials; a strategy for the competence of medical laboratories: supporting occupational health and safety. The half day workshop saw the entire industry coming together; it is therefore, prudent that the Ministry makes a follow-up on the required actions as stipulated in the recommendations.

From left to right: Ms Himba Cheelo, CEO, ZWMA, Chief Technical Advisor for UNIDO –Trade Capacity Building Framework for Zambia, Dr Elsie Meintjies, Mr Manuel Mutale, Executive Director, ZABS and SADCAS Board Member and Mr

Tobias Mulimbika, Director Industry, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

Zimbabwe: WAD commemorations were taken to the streets with a march starting from Mukwati Building where the National Accreditation Focal Point – Zimbabwe is housed throughout the centre of Harare City and ending up at the venue of the commemorations a tent pitched at the Causeway Post Office. Stakeholders amongst them regulators, conformity assessment bodies, government representatives, captains of industry and consumers all joined in the march donned in their WAD T shirts including the SADCAS CEO. Over 200 people participated in the march including the police and drum majorettes. The T shirts were provided by the NAFP - Zimbabwe. The march which was 6km attracted a lot of attention on the streets. Speeches were delivered.

The keynote address was delivered by the Minister of Trade and Commerce who noted the benefits of accreditation and the progress that the SADC region had made in its institutional development to address non- tariff barriers to trade amongst SADC Member States and between SADC and other regional trading blocs as well as to promote quality and accreditation infrastructure in the region. He reiterated his Ministry’s commitment to promoting accreditation in Zimbabwe and outlined the efforts made by the NAFP – Zimbabwe which is housed in his Ministry which has resulted in uptake in accreditation with Zimbabwe having the highest number of facilities accredited by SADCAS and the highest number of applications under process.



Celebrations

18

Stakeholders including Mrs Maureen Mutasa SADCAS CEO donned in their WAD T shirts just before the march

From left to Right: legal Advisor Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Mrs Gadzikwa, Mrs Mutasa, Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry Mr Mike Bimha, Mrs Beatrice Mutetwa and Mrs Dzimwasha Directors from

the Ministry of Trade and Industry

Maureen Mutasa

SADCAS



Celebrations

19

EGAC is the sole accreditation body in Egypt. It is recognized by the Presidential Decree number 312/1996 as the national body for the assessment and accreditation of conformity assessment bodies. This decree number gives EGAC the independence for the evaluation and accreditation of conformity assessment bodies.

EGAC Vision is to have accreditation at the top of the conformity assessment activities, and to give confidences in the competence of the conformity assessment bodies to ensure the credibility of their reports & certificates in compliance with international standards

EGAC’s responsibilities are:

to set up a system for assessment of conformity assessment bodies, and issue accreditation certificates;

to maintain continuous surveillance of the accredited bodies;

to contribute to upgrading the quality of services of conformity assessment bodies according to the international criteria;

to encourage the exchange of experience among different accreditation bodies;

to support mutual recognition between conformity assessment bodies in Egypt and abroad and conclude agreements for this purpose; and

to represent the state in international accreditation activities.

EGAC’s Objectives are:

to inspire confidence in the competence of organizations providing calibration, testing, and inspection and certificate services;

to actively seek mutual recognition arrangements with similar regional and international parties; and

to operate and develop the accreditation programs in conformity with relevant international standards.

EGAC Activities include accreditation of :

Testing and Calibration laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025;

Medical laboratories according to ISO 15189;

Inspection bodies according to ISO/IEC 17020;

Certification of Management systems according to ISO/IEC 17021

EGAC plays a very important role in the Egyptian economy as it lies at the top of Egyptian Quality system and contributes in increasing exports, competitiveness and capability of Egyptian products to compete in the international markets.

EGAC is recognized in all its current scopes of accreditation and is going to extend its signatory status to include the


Know the Accreditation Bodies in

Africa

Egyptian Accreditation Council

(EGAC)

20

scope of FSMS according to ISO/IEC 17021-1.

EGAC is considering the following as new scopes of accreditation Certification of persons according to ISO/IEC 17024, Certification of products according to ISO/IEC 17065; Proficiency Testing providers according to ISO/IEC 17043.

EGAC spreads horizontally in Europe and Asia besides the Arab region.

EGAC became an associate member of ILAC in June 2004 and became a full member of International Accreditation Forum (IAF) in May 2006. Thereafter EGAC graduated into MLA/MRA signatory status with ILAC/IAF in 2009. This signatory status was further renewed in 2013 of which the next evaluation is planned for February 2017.

EGAC became an associate member of European Accreditation (EA) (Contract of Cooperation) in 2010 and is planning to apply for mutual recognition with EA in 2017.

EGAC achieved signatory status of both the Arab Accreditation Council (ARAC) and the African Accreditation Co-operation (AFRAC) in 2014.

EGAC also participated in launching and preparing the bylaws of the new International Forum for HALAL Products.

EGAC is a part of a twinning project with EU represented by BMWi of Germany, DAKKS of Germany and ACCREDIA of Italy. The project entitles “Strengthening the Institutional Capacity of The Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC)” aims to support the Egyptian Accreditation Council and to prepare EGAC to sign MLA agreement with EA.

Mohamed Hassn

EGAC

KENAS is the sole National Accreditation Body recognized by the Government of Kenya to offer accreditation of conformity assessment bodies. KENAS was established vide a legal notice of May 2009 as a State Corporation under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives. KENAS is the only accreditation body within the East African Region. It is an associate member of ILAC and a member to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). As part of our strategy for gaining international recognition, KENAS underwent pre-peer evaluation in 2013 and is now scheduled for an initial joint peer evaluation by ILAC, IAF and AFRAC in November 2016.

With regard to regional membership, KENAS is a member to AFRAC where it is actively involved in the Technical, MRA and Executive committees as well as in the Marketing and Communications Working Group. In East Africa region, KENAS is a member of the East African Accreditation Board (EAAB through which it has cultivated a close working relationship with the recently established Uganda National Accreditation Focal Point (NAFP) alongside National Accreditation Focal Points of Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. The engagements have involved promoting the role of accreditation in trade facilitation and sensitization workshops during regional meetings and the World Accreditation Day celebrations. KENAS is also seeking more avenues of enhancing the EAAB influence in the East Africa Community (EAC) as well as in the Common Markets of East and Southern Africa (COMESA).



Africa

Kenya Accreditation Service

(KENAS)

21

In January 2016, the Uganda NAFP and KENAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in areas of accreditation, knowledge management and technical skills enhancement and transfer. This MoU has seen KENAS train assessors for inspection Bodies in Uganda and those that qualified shall be listed on the KENAS database as trainee as-sessors for both Uganda NAFP and KENAS

Signing of the MoU between Uganda National Focal Point and KENAS.

ACCREDITATION SERVICES WE OFFER: The accreditation services provided by KENAS covers include accreditation of: Management system certification bodies Inspection bodies, laboratories (testing, medical, and calibration) and Profi-ciency Test (PT) service providers. KENAS has capability of providing accreditation services to Certification of products and persons. This is in line with the Kenya Vision 2030 which is geared towards making Kenya a medium Industrialised country. KENAS has currently accredited 60 Conformity assessment bodies with the following split:

KENAS engages on at least four awareness campaigns and training programs in a year to raise the awareness and sig-nificance of accreditation across the country. KENAS also uses electronic forms of engagement to reach out and seek feedback from its clients, regulators, other stakeholders and the public at large. KENAS budget is financed by the ex-chequer; revenue generated from the accreditation services offered and occasionally by support from development partners on targeted areas of engagement.



Africa

22

During an ISO/IEC17025 Internal Audit training workshop Discussions during the ACP-TBT-EU closing conference

The Organisation has received capacity building support from PTB-Germany, ILAC and IAF, a recently concluded ACP-EU-TBT program as well as CLSI through the PEPFAR program which is currently underway.

Quality in our Management Style: KENAS has implemented a management system that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011 and therefore guarantees the realization of its mission and objectives. To optimise the effectiveness of this system, monitoring and evaluation of the system is done through internal audits, handling of complaints received and provision of feedback by users of accredited services to gauge our efficiency and effectiveness. We hold two Man-agement Review meetings a year to ensure that we continuously meet the requirements of ISO /IEC 17011 as well as continuously improve our operations and hence delivery on our mandate. As a governmental body, KENAS has also adopted Performance Contracting. Its delivery on key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) are monitored, evaluated and re-ported to our parent ministry, as well as the Division of performance contracting in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning every quarter.

Community Engagement: As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, KENAS has chosen the path of environmen-tal sustainability where it has partnered with several communities and groups in the efforts of enhancing our forest reserves through afforestation. The organisation has planted over 300 trees to date within the Karura Forest Reserve in Nairobi County and adjacent to the Nairobi National Park.

Tree planting within Nairobi County

Elizabeth Muema

KENAS



Africa

23

The Mauritius Accreditation Service (MAURITAS) is the sole national accreditation body and has been set up as a de-partment within the Ministry responsible for the subject of Industry, following the adoption of the Mauritius Accredi-tation Service Act 1998.

Objectives of MAURITAS

Our main objective is to provide a national accreditation service to all conformity assessment bodies (CABs), i.e. labora-tories, certification bodies and inspection bodies operating in Mauritius.

Vision of MAURITAS

To achieve international recognition

Mission of MAURITAS

To provide a national, impartial and transparent mechanism for the accreditation of laboratories, certification and inspection bodies.

To establish agreements on mutual recognition with other national, regional and international accreditation bodies and to obtain and maintain international acceptance of the competence of organizations accredited by MAURITAS.

MAURITAS Team

We are a team comprising the Director, four (4) Technical Staff, two (2) Administrative Staff, one (1) Confidential Secre-tary, one (1) Receptionist and one (1) Office Care Attendant.

MAURITAS Staff



Africa

Mauritius Accreditation Service

(MAURITAS)

24

Certificates issued by MAURITAS

As at date, 29 laboratories both in the public and private sector have been accredited since the first accreditation certifi-cate granted in 2008, (27 testing laboratories and 2 calibration laboratories). MAURITAS is currently processing applica-tions from 7 laboratories.

Moreover, 1 Certification Body has been granted accreditation for its Quality Management System (QMS), Information Security Management System (ISMS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) Certification Schemes.

Pre-evaluation of MAURITAS

In view to ensure that MAURITAS accredited certificates issued by conformity assessment bodies are accepted across all borders, MAURITAS has applied for becoming a signatory to the Multilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangements with ILAC/IAF/AFRAC/SADCA in July 2015.

The pre evaluation visit took place from 21 to 25 March 2016 by a team comprising:

Mr Alok Jain – Team Leader (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, NABL)

Mrs Maureen Mutasa – Team Member (Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service, SAD-CAS)

Mrs Sonia Mahdoui – Team Member (Tunisian Accreditation Council, TUNAC)

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, MAURITAS Staff and the Pre-evaluation team

During the evaluation, both MAURITAS office and the apex body representing the National Metrological Infrastructure were visited by the evaluation team.

The following accreditation assessments were witnessed by the evaluation team:

Testing:1 re-assessment (2 days; chemical, environmental & biological testing)

Calibration: 1 surveillance (1 day; mass)

Management System Certification Body:1 surveillance (1 day; QMS)

The evaluation team raised 7 non-conformities, 7 concerns and 14 comments. The 7 non-conformities are related to



Africa

25

Proposed corrective actions were made and submitted to the evaluation team in April 2016. A first response has been obtained from the team. MAURITAS has started implementing the corrective actions and will submit the documented evidence to the team of evaluators by the end of June 2016.

Chesta Matadeen

MAURITAS



Africa

26

The African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) held its 22nd General Assembly meeting in Arusha, Tanzania on the 23rd June 2016. This was preceded by the ARSO Council meeting held from 20 to 21 June 2016, which was attended by ARSO Council members only. These meetings are held annually in different African Countries who are members of AR-SO.

ARSO commemorated the Africa Day of Standardization 2016. This is an annual event that takes place the day before the General Assembly, and this year’s theme was “The Role of Standardization in Women’s Empowerment and Devel-opment towards the AU Agenda 2063”. This event was addressed (via Video message) by Her Excellency Mrs. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius and ARSO Standardization Goodwill Ambassador. She highlighted the rate of growth of Africa’s economic progression, citing its untapped markets and its emerging mid-dleclass, while inequalities and poverty, women and youth still are being left out in the mainstream of its economies. She also mentioned among other things that Intra-Africa trade is still low and Africa needs to develop its manufacturing sector strongly, while also diversifying its economy and developing the common market. She also emphasized that Afri-ca’s growth can only happen if inclusion of women and youth in the economic mainstream can be prioritized, having a strong system of Conformity Assessment, and the strengthening of the growth of SMMEs.

There were presentations by women who are in leadership positions within Standards Bodies in Africa, covering topics ranging from the inequalities that still prevail against women in Africa and what needs to happen to change those mind-sets and practices. A panel discussion was held after all the presentations and comments and testimonies were shared among participants, this session was moderated by Mrs. Treasure Thembisile Maphanga, Director of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission.

AFRAC was represented at the GA by Mr Mpho Phaloane of SANAS who also gave a verbal presentation of the work of AFRAC, as well as the relationship with ARSO within the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) framework. During the deliberations it was emphasized that Regional Integration is important in moving forward to the Free Trade Area (FTA), and that the role of standards in facilitating trade within the FTA is important. Future GA’s for ARSO will be held as follows: 2017-Burkina Faso; 2018-South Africa; 2019-Sudan.

Mpho Phaloane

SANAS


22nd African Organisation for

Standardisation General Assembly

27

The 5th meeting on the development of the ISO/IEC 17011 standard was held between 31st May and 2nd June 2016 at the ISO Central Secretariat premises in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting was a crucial meeting since it reviewed the comments that came through from the CD2 ballot that closed on 29th March 2016. The CD2 was approved with 82% of positive votes from CASCO members. Prior to the meeting, a drafting group met between 10th to12th May to collate comments in readiness for the responses from the working group. During the Plenary, the following were discussed and agreed upon:

Annex A: The status of this annex was discussed including its possible deletion but considering the split in the opinions, the details were accommodated in the standard under resource requirements and hence amended significantly clauses 6.1.2: Determination of competence criteria) and 6.1.3; Competence Management. The An-nex was left in the document as an informative one.

The note under the scope was further enhanced to provide in context activities covered under the standard.

A qualification of interested parties was added under the definition as well as a new definition of accreditation activity and reassessment was added.

The note qualifying governmental accreditation bodies was realigned.

A statement mandating ABs to document and implement a process for involving interested parties for safe-guarding its impartiality was inserted.

A statement was inserted on management of fraudulent behavior as well as preliminary assessments, under process requirement; Clause 7.2-Application for accreditation.

In assessments a requirement for extent of cause of the nonconformities raised was inserted

There was a further qualification done on accreditation decision making

While under accreditation information, the information for reference material producers was amended on ad-vice from REMCO

The area of flexible scopes was reworded to provide clarity to the requirement

There was additional information inserted under clause 8 for both AB’s and CABs

In the bibliography the following were added; ISO 15189, ISO 17034, ISO/IEC 17067, ISO 10002

The working group has now released ISO/IEC DIS 17011, Conformity assessment – Requirements for accreditation bod-ies accrediting conformity assessment bodies for a three month ballot with effect from 25th August 2016. This is in line with the ISO Derivatives which require that a two-month period for translation is granted and this commenced on the 22nd June 2016.

The next steps are as follows:

The DIS out for ballot 22nd June 2016, for 5 months (2 months translation + 3 months ballot).

The drafting group will meet on the 6th to 8th December 2016 to collate comments in readiness for responses.

The 6th Meeting is planned in January 2017 to handle the DIS comments and produce an FDIS.

FDIS released for ballot in March 2017 for 2 months hence closes in May 2017.

Based on the timelines indicated above, it will be desired for AFRAC to consolidate its comments for DIS in order for these to be submitted through member bodies before the November 2016 deadline.

Susanah Munyiri

KENAS


ISO/IEC 17011 Draft International

Standard to Open for Balloting

28

AFRAC Secretariat contacts details

Physical Address 121 Muckleneuk Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria, South Africa

Postal Address AFRAC, Private Bag X23, Sunnyside, 0132

Tel +27 12 740 8420/8419

Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Website: www.intra-afrac.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.intra-afrac.com

Documents

V O L U M E 4 AFRAC NEWS - ENAO publication was initially drafted by Mr Neville Tayler (SANAS - Accreditation ... South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America,