ECOS partners with ARSO, the African Organisation for Standardisation
By Through our Africa Office, we are developing partnerships with key regional players in standardisation and policy in the African region. A new Memorandum of Understanding between ECOS and ARSO, the African Organisation for Standardisation, will facilitate our closer collaboration on standardisation activities and the promotion of the effective participation of environmental stakeholders in the development of standards in Africa.
Celebrating the 2024 African Day of Standardisation, we are pleased to announce a new partnership between ECOS and ARSO, the African Organisation for Standardisation. With our collaboration formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding, we look forward to working with ARSO and its members on the environmental aspects of standards development in Africa.
Standardisation in Africa
ARSO, the African Organisation for Standardisation, is an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to establish African standards of interest to intra-African and global trade. It provides a reference for harmonising products and services. With over 1,400 standards, ARSO works on many topics of mutual interest to ECOS.
Africa plays a key role in global value chains – particularly when it comes to issues like critical raw materials and agriculture. Standards that are developed with due attention to the environment can help to protect the natural ecosystems where these materials are sourced. As a secondary market for items like electronics, standards on e-waste are also growing in importance in Africa to help support the transfer of clean technology and manage waste.
Members of ARSO are national standardisation bodies that are also members of ISO. ARSO also cooperates with its regional counterparts like CEN, the European Committee for Standardization. Civil society organisations, such as ECOS, have a role to play in this global network. We bring the environmental voice to standards development – and we look forward to growing this impact in Africa.
Developing standards that are fit for the future
ECOS and ARSO will partner in African standardisation activities, working to strengthen environmental ambition and participation.
Together, we will:
- Exchange relevant views and information.
- Facilitate environmental stakeholders (including NGOs) to take part in standardisation activities.
- Increase capacity for developing standards.
ECOS and ARSO are at the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership that will support our work towards inclusive standards that are developed with local skills and expertise and promote the uptake of clean technologies – regionally and internationally.
For ECOS, this partnership will help to grow our impact on standards, policies, and laws in Africa via our Africa Office. Environmental challenges know no boundaries, so partnerships like this are a key part of developing the best solutions.
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