1. Challenges
Quality infrastructure (QI) incorporates metrology, stand-
ardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment. A
country’s internationally recognized QI system provides
evidence that its products and services meet international
standards. Having a functioning QI system in place is a
prerequisite for companies’ market access and improves
the protection of domestic consumers and the environ-
ment. Exporters whose products need to comply with
market requirements have to have access to internationally
recognized conformity assessment procedures, including
testing, inspection and certification.
However, many developing countries lack internationally
recognized conformity assessment bodies. As a result,
exporters face difficulties in demonstrating product compli-
ance, and often have to undertake complex and costly
conformity assessments abroad.
To set-up a QI system, governments are required to establish
at least three institutions providing the following services:
Quality infrastructure – crucial for
international trade and competitiveness
As shown in the illustration, there is a strong interrelation
between QI institutions. Standards cannot be defined without
reference to reliable measurements. In turn, measurements
must be internationally standardized. In order to determine
a product’s internationally recognized conformity, it must be
tested in laboratories that are accredited by an internationally
recognized authority. Successfully implementing a QI system
creates confidence regarding products and services in both
domestic and export markets. Consequently, businesses align
their production processes with international requirements,
which in turn enhance their international competitiveness.
GFA concept and services
Many countries suffer from serious constraints in fully imple-
menting a QI system. Deficiencies range from a lack of technical
capabilities and equipment as well as national legislations to
insufficiently qualified human resources and weak institutions.
GFA supports the development of QI systems in developing
and EU accession countries by providing strengthening of
national QI institutions to develop and enhance demand-
oriented, effective and efficient QI services that follow interna-
tional best practice. Our experts support procedural reforms
of QI framework conditions and upgrade according skills in
line with EU best practice. Internationally experienced teams
of experts enhance the technical capacities of QI institutions
to include international rules and regulations into their legal
framework and to enforce them accordingly. They also assist
beneficiary institutions to increase the public awareness
towards an enhanced quality culture.
National
Standards
Body
National
Metrology
Institute
National
Accreditation
Body
• Provides access to standards
developed by international or
national standards bodies as
basis for technical regulations
• Develops national standards
based on international standards
• Establishes and offers accurate,
reliable and traceable measure-
ments as basis of performance
for standards
• Offers traceable and cost
effective calibration services to
companies
• Independent, internationally
recognized authority that approves
the technical competence of
testing laboratories, certification
and inspection bodies
Source: Information obtained from PTB (2001): A national quality infrastructure
Private sector development
2. Modernisation Programme for the Palestinian
Quality Infrastructure, Occupied Palestinian
Territory, EU, 2013 – 2016
The core objective of this project is to strengthen the Palestinian
Standards Institution (PSI) in the fields of standardization,
metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment.
The GFA team assists PSI in establishing product testing
facilities, legal metrological control facilities, and calibration
services. The experts further support PSI in creating a national
public awareness strategy, which will lead to an enhanced
quality culture in Palestine. Moreover, GFA assists with the
establishment of an independent and internationally recogniz-
able laboratory accreditation body.
http://palqi.pna.ps/index.htm
Contract value: € 1,799,753
Regional quality infrastructure and sanitary
and phytosanitary standards in Central
America, EU, 2011 – 2017
The program aims at creating a regional QI system in Central
America to the effect of harmonized standards for food and
non-food products. GFA experts provide technical assistance
to national QI bodies with respect to metrology, standardization,
certification, conformity assessment and accreditation as well
as sanitary and phytosanitary standards in close consultation
with private sector stakeholders. They help establish regional QI
networks that assist national institutions in strengthening their
quality control capacities. This improves companies’ intra-
regional market access.
Contract value: € 4,319,913
Consumer protection and market surveillance
Montenegro, EU, 2012 – 2013
The overall objective of the project was to enhance the protection
of consumers and to reinforce the Montenegrin market surveillance
system in accordance with EU standards. To this effect, GFA’s
technical assistance team enhanced the technical and institutional
capacities of relevant ministries to adapt their legislative framework
in line with the aqcuis communitaire. The experts also supported
the relevant authorities in their coordination efforts corresponding to
the EU approach. Moreover, the comprehension of market inspec-
tors regarding EU regulations and inspection requirements was
enhanced as well as public awareness on consumer protection.
Contract value: € 684,530
Strengthening of the Serbian system of
market surveillance for non-food and food
products, EU, 2012 – 2015
The project addresses the reform of the market surveillance
system in Serbia with the objective to perform its tasks effec-
tively and efficiently under the new legislation for product safety
and food safety. Capacity building activities for the market
surveillance authority and its attached institutions support the
protection of consumers against products that pose serious
threats to health, safety, and the environment. The project’s three
components provide technical assistance with respect to rules
and regulations, administrative capacity building and coordina-
tion, and operations of market inspections. www.mss-serbia.org
Contract value: € 2,443,780
GFA at work
Contact GFA Consulting Group GmbH
Martina Bernauer
Phone: +49 (40) 60306 -100
E-mail: martina.bernauer@gfa-group.de
Private sector development
