AGANOR, the Gabonese Agency of Standardization

What is the AGANOR ?

AGANOR, or Gabonese Standardization Agency, represents the Gabonese government entity dedicated to quality promotion, standards development, conformity assessment and metrology. Established by Decree No 0227/PR/MIMT on 23 June 2014, it operates under the supervision of the Minister responsible for Industry.

The main objectives of AGANOR include :

• The promotion of quality in Gabon through awareness-raising actions, training and support of local businesses towards a quality approach.

• The development, approval and dissemination of national standards, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and in alignment with international standards.

• The management of the country’s conformity assessment system, encompassing the certification of goods, inspection, testing, accreditation and mutual recognition.

• The management of the national metrology system, guaranteeing traceability, reliability and uniformity of measurements.

• The administration of the WTO National Information Point on Technical Barriers to Trade, providing advice and information to economic actors on technical regulations and standards influencing international trade.

• The coordination of metrology activities within CEMAC as a focal point for harmonization at the level of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa.

• Representation of Gabon in international standardization organizations such as ISO, IEC, CODEX Alimentarius, among others.

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AGANOR is structured around a Board of Directors, a General Management and an Accounting Agency and relies on laboratories, technical centers, technical committees and an extensive network of partners, both national and international.

Why did you create AGANOR ?

AGANOR was founded to meet the standards and quality requirements in Gabon. The country, facing significant economic, environmental and consumer satisfaction challenges, imports nearly 80% of its consumer goods. This situation exposes Gabon to the risk of introducing non-compliant, dangerous or substandard products on its market. In addition, Gabon exports agricultural, forestry, mining and oil products that must meet international market standards.

To face these challenges, Gabon has established the Gabonese Conformity Assessment Program (PROGEC), led by AGANOR. This program ensures the quality control of imported and exported products, issuing certificates of conformity to products complying with Gabonese or international standards. Thanks to PROGEC, Gabon reduces the entry of non-compliant products and stimulates trade.

PROGEC covers more than 200 product categories in various sectors such as food, construction, household appliances, health and safety. AGANOR is important in the success of PROGEC, while developing the national standardization and quality system. It contributes to improving the competitiveness of Gabonese companies, protecting the environment and the health of consumers, while promoting regional integration and international cooperation in standardization.

What are the existing AGANOR standards and are they mandatory ?

AGANOR standards define technical specifications and good practice rules for various products, services, processes or systems. They are established by technical committees, composed of representatives of stakeholders such as manufacturers, consumers, experts and administrations.

The types of AGANOR standards

AGANOR standards fall into several categories, based on their origin, scope and mandatory nature :

• Gabonese standards (NGA), developed by AGANOR in response to the needs of national actors

• Harmonized Standards (NH), developed by regional standards bodies such as ACONORM or ARSO and adopted by AGANOR

• International standards (NI), from international standards bodies such as ISO, IEC, or CODEX Alimentarius and adopted by AGANOR

• Voluntary Application Standards (NAV), which, although not required by law, can serve as references for economic operators or consumers

• Mandatory Standards (NAO), made mandatory by regulatory instruments for reasons of safety, health, environmental protection or trade facilitation

Areas of application of AGANOR standards

AGANOR standards apply to a wide range of sectors in Gabon, covering economic, social and environmental aspects :

• Agri-food, including quality, hygiene, safety, labelling and traceability standards for food products

• Construction, including standards for materials, products, systems and calculation methods, as well as rules for the design, construction and control of constructions

• Household appliances, covering standards of safety, performance, energy efficiency and interoperability of household electrical or electronic devices

• Health, including standards for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and health services

• Safety, with the standards of personal protective equipment, fire safety systems and pyrotechnic products

• The environment, including standards for waste management, air quality, water, soil, biodiversity protection and environmental impact assessment

Which products need to be certified by an AGANOR standard ?

Certification by an AGANOR standard validates the conformity of a product, service, process or system to Gabonese or international standards. It is awarded by AGANOR or by an entity it accredits, following inspections, audits, analyses or tests.

Products subject to compulsory certification

Certain products, due to their potential impact on safety, health or the environment, or specific technical regulations, must be certified in a mandatory manner before their import or local manufacture. These products include:

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• Food products : dairy, meat, seafood, cereals, vegetable oils, alcoholic beverages, etc.

• Electrical and electronic products : refrigerators, air conditioners, televisions, computers, telephones, chargers, lamps, sockets, switches, etc.

• Construction products : cement, concrete, bricks, tiles, sheet metal, paints, glues, tiles, sanitary equipment, etc.

• Health products : medicines, medical devices, cosmetics, hygiene products, disinfectants, etc.

• Safety products : fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, life jackets, helmets, gloves, safety shoes, etc.

• Pyrotechnic products : fireworks, firecrackers, rockets, etc.

Products subject to voluntary certification

Some products may be certified on a voluntary basis, at the request of businesses or consumers, even if their certification is not mandatory. These products, generally without specific risks, can gain in competitiveness, reputation or quality through certification. Examples:

• Agricultural products : fruits, vegetables, cereals, tubers, spices, medicinal plants, etc.

• Forest products : wood, coal, paper, cardboard, furniture, etc.

• Mining products : gold, diamond, manganese, iron, etc.

• Petroleum products : gasoline, diesel, kerosene, gas, etc.

• Handicrafts : clothing, jewellery, works of art, musical instruments, etc.

• Services : catering, cleaning, transportation, training, consulting, etc.

Which AGANOR certification program to choose ? Are there several ?

AGANOR offers various certification programs adapted to different types of products, standards and targeted markets. These programs aim to ensure that the products comply with technical requirements, strengthen the confidence of consumers and business partners, and highlight Gabonese products.

The Gabonese Conformity Assessment Programme (PROGEC)

PROGEC is a mandatory certification program for products imported or manufactured in Gabon, subject to specific technical regulations. It aims to protect the health, safety and environment of Gabonese consumers while facilitating trade.

This program covers more than 200 product categories in various sectors such as food, construction, household appliances, health and safety. To obtain PROGEC certification, companies must have their products checked for compliance before shipping (for imported products) or before marketing (for local products). This verification may include inspections, audits, analyses or tests, to ensure compliance with Gabonese or international standards.

Once the products are found to be compliant, AGANOR or an accredited body issues a certificate of conformity, authorizing the clearance and sale of the products.

The Voluntary Certification Program (VCP)

The VCP is a voluntary certification program for products that are not subject to mandatory technical regulations, but that can gain a competitive advantage, a better brand image or superior quality through certification. This program aims to encourage the competitiveness of Gabonese products on national and international markets. It is open to all types of products, including agricultural, forestry, mining, petroleum, craft or services.

To obtain PCV certification, companies must submit their products to a conformity assessment carried out by AGANOR or a body it has accredited. This evaluation involves verifying that the products meet the Gabonese or international standards selected by the companies, through inspections, audits, analyses or tests. If the products meet the criteria, AGANOR or the accredited body issues a certificate of conformity, thus making it possible to display the PCV logo on the products and distinguish them from non-certified products.

What are the essential criteria to obtain one of the AGANOR standards ?

To obtain an AGANOR standard, whether mandatory or voluntary, it is imperative to comply with the criteria set out in the selected standard. These criteria, in the form of technical requirements, cover various aspects such as characteristics, performance, test methods and rules of good practice. They apply to the product, service, process or system being certified.

The general criteria of conformity

General compliance criteria include requirements for all types of products, services, processes or systems. Their aim is to ensure quality, safety, reliability, efficiency and interoperability. These criteria are based on international or regional standards adopted or adapted by AGANOR.

These criteria include :

• Compliance with technical specifications, defining the expected characteristics and performance.

• Compliance with test methods, specifying procedures and equipment to verify compliance.

• Compliance with the rules of good practice, establishing the principles and recommendations for maintaining quality.

• Compliance with regulatory requirements, setting out the legal obligations to be met.

The specific criteria of conformity

The specific compliance criteria address requirements specific to certain types of products, services, processes or systems, aimed at satisfying the needs of stakeholders such as consumers, producers, distributors and authorities. Based on Gabonese standards, these criteria are developed by AGANOR in collaboration with stakeholders.

Examples of these specific criteria :

• Compliance with environmental standards, concerning environmental protection, reduction of environmental impacts and waste management.

• Compliance with social standards, related to respect for human rights, worker protection and social responsibility.

• Compliance with ethical standards, relating to the fight against corruption, transparency and traceability.

• Compliance with cultural standards, relating to the valorisation of cultural heritage, the promotion of cultural diversity and the protection of traditional knowledge.