The Ghana Standards Authority has dispelled assertions that its newly introduced policy, the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (GCAP), will hamper the smooth flow of international trade and also bring back the era of pre-shipment inspection.

According to the Authority, the programme is being carried out in line with the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) provisions which require them under Article five (5), to come out with procedures for Assessment of Conformity for recognition by other countries just as they are also required, under Article six (6), to recognise conformity assessment by other central government bodies.

Describing the various commentaries and concerns raised by several stakeholders regarding the GCAP programme as misconceptions and fabrications, the Authority noted the programme is basically to ensure that substandard goods are not imported into the country.

A statement issued by the GSA in response to the concerns raised by the various stakeholders stated that the programme being rolled out in collaboration with BIVAC and SGS is also designed to ensure that specific products meet the requirements of the technical regulations and standards set in the importing country.

According to the statement, the programme will among other things prevent the importation of unsafe, sub-standard and or counterfeit goods, protect the health and safety of consumers as well as the environment, avoid a situation where the domestic market becomes a dumping ground for non-conforming products, promote the use of honest trade practices and protects the interests of local producers, facilitate customs clearance process and ensures that the importer and the government of Ghana does not pay anything for the service.

Under the programme, it behoves the supplier or the exporter to demonstrate that his or her goods are in compliance and this is achieved through a review of reports from one or a combination of interventions such as laboratory testing, physical inspection and factory inspections.

According to the statement, the conformity of the product is evidenced by the issuance of a certificate of conformity usually requested for customs clearance with the exporting country handling the quality verification aspect which also allows for a reduction in delays that characterize the clearance of goods whiles ensuring swift clearance of goods from the ports and other points of entry.

The Authority explains that fees to be paid under the Conformity Assessment Programme such as verification and registration fees will be charged on the supplier of the product and not the importer, an indication that the importer will not pay for the service.

Exporters and Importers under the programme are also responsible for ensuring that their products and shipments fully comply with the GSA verification of conformity to standards programme and must obtain the mandatory certificate of conformity (COC).

This means that importers in Ghana are expected to ensure that their suppliers understand the import quality requirements and that their consignments are accompanied by a GSA certificate of conformity from an authorized GSA service provider.

The Authority has also denied suggestions that the GCAP is the same as pre-shipment inspection, saying under the pre-shipment Inspection concept, valuation, classification and quantities of the consignments are done by the pre-shipment companies on behalf of government while under the GCAP, all imports are expected to conform to the Authority’s technical regulations and standards,

Head of Public Relations at the GSA, Kofi Amponsah Bediako who also spoke to the M&TD on the matter explained that the Authority took a cue from countries such as the Ivory Coast and Nigeria who are all implementing the programme and that if Ghana stays aloof, the tendency that all the rejected sub-standard goods would be dumped here in Ghana was high.

Mr. Bediako also impressed upon the shipping and trading public to comply with the new policy to ensure the smooth flow of international trade whiles allowing for a clean environment and a safe as well as healthy consumer.

The Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme is expected to take effect from the 1st of October this year.