GSA’s Cosmetics Laboratory secures Africa’s first ISO accreditation
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) Cosmetics Laboratory has been accredited under the DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 standard, making it the African leader in accredited cosmetics test methods.
The accreditation, effective from November 13, 2023, was granted after an on-site assessment by Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS), Germany’s national accreditation body.
This accomplishment comes under the umbrella of the West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP), financed by the European Union (EU), and with technical support provided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The programme aims to enhance the competitiveness of West African countries, and in this case, it focused on strengthening the testing and certification capabilities of the GSA Cosmetics Laboratory.
The ISO accreditation positions the GSA in a favorable international standing, enabling it to test and certify cosmetic products produced in Ghana to global standards.
The laboratory’s expanded capabilities align with its conformity assessment activities, contributing to the growth of the industry, consumer protection, and facilitating international trade through standardized and regulated products.
Dr. Martin Adarkwah – Yiadom, Head of Drugs, Cosmetics, and Forensic Science Laboratory of the GSA, expressed gratitude to the European Union, UNIDO, and WACOMP for their continuous support.
He emphasized the importance of international recognition in testing regulated products, stating that it positions the GSA to compete effectively with laboratories in Europe and Western countries.
Mrs. Ebe Muschialli, the Project Manager of WACOMP – Ghana, highlighted the strengthened relationship between the GSA and UNIDO in making Ghanaian products and services globally competitive.
This achievement contributes to the promotion of intra-African trade and aligns with the broader goals of the WACOMP initiative.
The accreditation underscores the commitment of Ghana to quality standards, regulatory excellence, and international competitiveness, enhancing the country’s standing in the cosmetics industry and beyond.
