By Asmau Ahmad
The African Union (AU) on Friday launched an Eco-friendly certification scheme to promote sustainable production and consumption in Africa.
Simplice Nouala, Head of Division for Agriculture and Food Security at the AU Commission, said this in Nairobi.
Nouala said the Eco-Mark Africa label was a continent wide harmonised standard for African products in tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
“The Eco-labeling standards are set for goods and services which meet set of environmental, societal, economic and legal principles,” Nouala said.
He said that the Eco-mark Africa certification would contribute towards improving the environmental and social profile of African products and, therefore, expands market access for African products.
The AU official said that the EcoMark certification system is a tool for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative.
Nouala added that the launching of the scheme fits within the goal of the AfCFTA which calls for deeper economic integration and the free movement of goods and services.
He observed that the Eco-Mark Africa certification could cement bilateral relations among African countries and alleviate some of the testing and conformity assessment issues encountered by African traders.
