All imported, locally made furniture to undergo mandatory testing
By Isaac AIDOO, Accra
The Ghana Standards Authority, the GSA and the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FORIG) have engaged stakeholders in the wood and furniture industry and indicated that all imported and locally manufactured furniture will be tested and certified before they are sold on the Ghanaian market.
Speaking at the workshop organized jointly by the two agencies on the Testing and Certification of Wood and Furniture products in the country,
Director-General of the GSA, Prof Alex Dodoo, revealed that Ghana had the most modern internationally accredited wood and furniture testing centre in Africa , adding that the centre was ready to offer services for furniture testing.
According to Prof Dodoo, the quality of furniture is one of the most important things to be cherished, since everyone used furniture.
The Ghana Standards Authority is the National Statutory Body responsible for the management of the nation’s quality infrastructure.
Many, the Director- General noted take the safety or quality of furniture they use for granted. He contended that many people, from medical doctors, administrators politicians and to journalists especially who work-related injury caused by furniture that they themselves are unaware off.
“If your furniture is not good , you are everyday practicing to have bone problems, back problems, spinal problems and a lot more and yet we have all taken it for granted that the furniture we use whether locally manufactured or imported is safe,”
He said it is the mandate of the Inspectorate division of the GSA to ensure that all imported furniture meet national standards. The GSA would also ensure that all locally manufactured furniture are certified to a standard.
Director of CSIR-FORIG , Prof Daniel Ofori said the role of CSIR-FORIG towards was to undertake demand-driven research, build capacity and promote the application of technologies for sustainable management of forest resources for the benefit of society.
He maintained that in order to achieve its vision, CSIR-FORIG undertakes six research programmes which include wood industry and utilization.
The programme, he noted seeks to develop technologies for efficient processing and utilization of wood and non-wood forest products as a means of reducing waste as well as wood exploitation.
With experts in Wood Science/Wood technologies, the programme has the expertise and experience in testing wood and wood products.
Prof Ofori disclosed that the testing Centre tests plastic and wood chairs and tables for their durability, stability and strength, adding that “these tests determine the lifespan of the products and their ability to perform the functions for which they are designed.”
“Tests conducted on chairs and tables ensure that health and safety, durability and strength requirements are met for customer satisfaction,” he added.
