Modern Mining May 2023

ADVERTORIAL

Bureau Veritas accelerates compliance standards in intra-African trading countries

B ureau Veritas, a leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services, recently hosted a break fast to discuss exporting within Africa and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The company’s commitment to accelerating regulatory practices including conformity, compliance standards and protecting countries against the importation of sub-standard products was high on the agenda at the panel con versation. Bureau Veritas facilitates the safe passage of intra-country trade on the continent, supporting clients to achieve market access for made-in-Africa products. With recent investments into laboratories to ensure compliance standards and the pre-Export Verification of Conformity pro grammes in place, Bureau Veritas, together with its partners, is determined to enhance inter-country exporting within Africa. Bertrand Martin, Senior Vice-President Africa, explained: “As the AfCFTA becomes a reality, governments and businesses need to be aware of product standards and regulations to protect traders and society. We are committed to a safe environment for the export of goods within countries in Africa. To this end, we have collaborated

with Afreximbank to develop the African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in Nigeria, which is a prime example of ensuring compliance with standards for made-in Africa products. In addition, the pre-Export Verification of Conformity programmes, such as SONCAP in Nigeria and Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) in Zimbabwe, protects countries against the import of sub-standard products. Our

Bertrand Martin Senior Vice President Africa at Bureau Veritas.

role as an expert, independent third party company is crucial to create the conditions for trust and we will deploy all our efforts to help our clients protect the health and safety of its citizens.” Bureau Veritas is a leader in Single Window concessions, innovative digital systems that cut customs clearance times and improve trade and transparency. “We envision Single Windows to be launched in Southern Africa going forward,” Martin stated. Gavin Hefer, District Chief Executive Bureau Veritas Southern Africa, added:

“We remain committed to the construction, mining and commodities, manufacturing, healthcare (pharmaceutical), buildings and infrastructure, agriculture, food, oil and gas, marine, power and utilities sectors. More than ever, our role as an expert, indepen dent third party company is essential to shape a world of trust.” Bureau Veritas’ objectives are to:  Support trade within the continent.  Enable trade facilitation through co-oper ation on standards, technical regulation and conformity assessment.  Assist clients to achieve market access for made-in-Africa products. The network of laboratories

Bureau Veritas has invested in ensure compliance with regula tions and drive ethical standards across mining and food produc tion value chains, amongst others. The company has a pres ence in 45 African countries and has implemented at least 30 trade facilitation verifica tions of conformity programmes in various countries. Through its dedicated trade web portal, Bureau Veritas plays a pivotal role in promoting intra-African trade by sharing country specific compliance requirements on one platform for ease of access by traders in various countries, thereby enabling them to have key market penetration informa tion and the regulatory framework of each jurisdiction. 

Bureau Veritas remains committed to the construction, mining and commodities industries.

42  MODERN MINING  May 2023