International Standards

Standards organizations

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) (formerly Ghana Standards Board) is the main body responsible for developing, promulgating standards and ensuring that the quality of the imported products meets acceptable standards. The mission of the GSA is to promote standardization for the improvement of the quality of goods, services and industrial practices.

The GSA has four programme areas:

1. Standardization programme - development and dissemination of standards 

2. Metrology programme - verification of weighing and measuring instruments and equipment; calibration of weighing and measuring instruments and equipment; pattern approval of weighing and measuring instruments and equipments; inspection of weighing and measuring instruments and equipment.

3. Testing programme – GSA offers a range of testing services in the following areas: food, chemicals, engineering, drugs and cosmetics. 

4. Quality assurance programme – including product certification, system certification, factory/consignment/fish inspection, import and export certification and destination inspection. 

Ghana Standards Authority's main functions are the following: 

- establish and promulgate standards to ensure high quality of imported and locally produced goods

- provide quality assurance through inspection, testing and metrology

- assist operators in the manufacturing and service sectors to improve their competitiveness by establishing effective Quality Management Systems along ISO/IEC standards.

- promote standardization in industry and commerce

- promoting standards in public and industrial welfare, health and safety

The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) also regulates and certifies food, drugs, cosmetics and other products related to health.

Conformity Assessment

Ghana’s Conformity Assessment Program classifies some imports as “high risk goods” (HRG). Such goods must be inspected by GSB officials at the port of entry to ensure they meet Ghanaian standards. The high risk goods are classified into 17 broad groups, including food products, electrical appliances and used goods. 

The importer must submit to Ghana Standards Authority a sample of the high risk goods, accompanied by a certificate of analysis or a certificate of conformance from accredited laboratories in the country of export. Usually, the GSB representatives conduct a physical examination and check labeling and marking requirements. It should be mentioned that independent third party certifications and marks may not be recognized. 

Product Certification

All products are required to be certified by the Ghana Standards Authority. The GSB was appointed by the EU as the authority for certification of fish and fish products.

Labeling rules 

According to Ghana’s General Labeling Rule, all products imported and locally produced products should include the following information, in English:

- name of the product

- net weight or net volume of contents

- composition 

- ate of manufacture of product

- date of expiry of product (or best before date)

- batch or lot number of product

- name and address of manufacturer or importer

- directions for use

- any special instructions for storage, handling

- pertinent warnings

Accreditation

Ghana does not have an accreditation body. Laboratories do not require accreditation, however the GSA intends to accredit laboratories in testing using the requirements of ISO. 

Contacts

Ghana Standards Authority

Web: www.gsa.gov.gh 

Email: info@gsa.gov.gh / gsadir@gsa.gov.gh  

Address: P.O. Box MB245, Accra, Ghana

Tel. +233 302-500231, 500065/6, 506992-6

Fax: +233 302 500092