| Project Detail |
Project ID
230070
Since September 2018, the Global Quality Standards Programme (GQSP) has focused on strengthening the South African essential and vegetable oils value chain by leveraging the services of the enablers, which includes the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), and strengthening conformity assessment services, supporting SME compliance to international standards and technical regulation and generally focus on promoting a culture of quality. The aim was to facilitate sustainable, profitable, and competitive market access for SMEs within the essential and vegetable oils sector by strengthening the quality of essential and vegetable oils exports from South Africa. Whilst the focus was on South Africa, other SADC Member States also participated and benefitted from events, webinars, conferences and training. The GQSP-SA Phase II project will intensify the support to develop the essential and vegetable oils value chain with new systems and technologies whilst building on the foundation and success of the GQSP-SA Phase I project. Phase II aims to further strengthen the South(ern) African essential and vegetable oils value chain to enable sustainable and competitive market access for Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs). Following a series of consultations with stakeholders, there was general agreement that the support for the essential and vegetable oils value chain and the project-focus species should continue given that the concept of quality and standards is a new concept to a large portion of SMEs in this industry. Three complementary outcomes for the GQSP-SA Phase II programme are: • Outcome 1: Technical competence and sustainability of the National Quality Infrastructure (QI) System is enhanced.• Outcome 2: SME compliance with international standards and technical regulations is strengthened.• Outcome 3: A conducive policy environment and culture for quality are strengthened. Whilst the work that was initiated in Phase I will be intensified, new initiatives will be added e.g., digitalization, introduction of new technologies and support to the dtic for the development of a national quality policy for South Africa. |
