Mali: Regulatory Reporting Requirements Leave Much to be Desired

Inadequate Staffing and Capacity Building Challenges Regulatory Agencies in Mali

In an effort to promote trade and ensure compliance with international standards, regulatory agencies in Mali are facing significant challenges due to inadequate staffing and capacity building issues. This article highlights the difficulties faced by key agencies responsible for setting national standards, marketing approval of food products, and certification of precious metals.

Capacity Building Needs of AMANORM

The Malian Agency for Standardization and Quality Promotion (AMANORM) has developed 477 standards, but only a handful are mandatory. Despite being party to international organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the ECOWAS Standards Harmonization Model, AMANORM’s capacity building needs have been identified as a major challenge.

Understaffing at ANSSA

The National Food Safety Agency (ANSSA), responsible for marketing approval of food products, is also understaffed and in need of capacity building. The Ministry of Mines oversees certification of precious metals, but the country’s regulatory framework remains fragmented.

Promoting Compliance with Standards

To promote compliance with standards, AMANORM launched the National Mark of Conformity to Standards, which allows companies to demonstrate good quality and reduces technical barriers to trade. Mali also recognizes foreign standards on the basis of reciprocity, as a member of international organizations such as ISO and ECOWAS.

Agencies Involved in Testing, Inspection, and Certification

Several agencies are involved in testing, inspection, and certification in Mali, including:

• ANSSA
• National Directorate for Commerce and Competition (DNCC)
• Directorate for Hygiene and Pollution Control
• Bureau of Inspection Valuation Assessment Control (BIVAC)

Public Access to Technical Regulations

Technical regulations in Mali are made public by AMANORM. The agency has a contact office at Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Rue: 219, Porte: 87. BP.E 2999 Bamako.

Notification of Proposed Technical Regulations

Mali is required to notify the World Trade Organization (WTO) of proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that could affect trade, under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). The country’s notification authority is responsible for submitting notifications to the WTO, which are then made available on the ePing platform.

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholders can use the ePing platform to review proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. The platform provides access to notifications made by WTO Members under the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). In addition, stakeholders can submit comments on notifications to the WTO TBT Committee directly to the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point.

Conclusion

Mali’s regulatory agencies face significant challenges in terms of staffing and capacity building. To address these issues, it is essential for the government to invest in building the capacities of key agencies responsible for setting national standards, marketing approval of food products, and certification of precious metals.