QSAE - Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia

The 21st Session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) was held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia from 16 to 20 February 2001. It was attended by 103 participants from 37 Member countries, one member organization and five international organizations. The out put of the meeting is summarized as follows.

2.1 Matter arising from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other Codex Committees (Strategic plan 2008-2013 of the Codex Alimentarius Commission)

The Committee discussed on the development of committee specific decision making and priority setting criteria and agreed on the following points:

- by recalling that 16th session of the committee had agreed on specific set of information to be required when the addition of new oils to the standard for named vegetable oils was proposed

- information are available in the guidelines of the application of criteria for the establishment of the work priority and project document would be evaluated against these guidelines and

- There should be significant trade volume to justify the development of new codex standards on the revision of existing standards. Working group was established on the standard for fat spreads and blended spreads. The working group recommended a maximum use level of some substances and based on the proposal the committee agreed on the following points

- Not to use synthetic fat spreads and blended spreads and to amend the standard accordingly

- To increase fat spreads and blended spreads (as bixin) content from 20 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg except reservation noted by the EU delegation and

- The committee also agreed on some amendments based on the working group recommendation

2.2 Draft amendment to the standard for named vegetable oils: Inclusion of rice bran oil

The draft amendment had been provided from Thailand, and agreed to proceed with the consideration of the draft amendment section by section. Finally the committee accepted the draft amendments with minor modifications.

2.3 Proposed draft criteria to assess the acceptability of substances for inclusion in a list of acceptable previous cargoes

The committee agreed (with some amendments in considering the safety implications for human health, of the presence of residues of previous cargoes) to circulate the proposed draft criteria at step 3 with a view to their integration in to the code of practice.

2.4 Proposed draft list of acceptable previous cargoes in the code of practice for the storage and transport of edible fats and oils in bulk

Several delegations agreed that the proposed draft list should not be discussed as long as the general issues raised in relation to the proposed draft list had not been adequately addressed, such as the need to be decisions on:

Finally, consensus was reached to retain the draft list at step 7, pending further progress on the establishment of mechanisms and procedures that cloud be used to apply the criteria.

2.5 Proposed draft amendment to the standard for named vegetable oils: Amendment to total carotenoids content in unbleached palm oil

The committee could not reach consensus on the amendment to the carotenoids content due to lack of sufficient data from producing countries and the committee agreed to propose to the commission to discontinue the work on the amendment to total carotenoids in unbleached palm oil in the standard for named vegetable oils.

2.6 Proposed draft amendment to the standard for named vegetable oils: Palm kernel olein and Palm kernel stearin

The committee supported the proposal and accepted with some modifications in the description, contaminants, fatty acid compositions and iron content of the virgin oil.

2.7 Proposed draft amendment for olive oils and olive pomace oils: Linolenic acid level

It was presented by Australia and supported by New Zealand, Argentina and USA, but there was no enough support for the advancement of the proposal under consideration for adoption by the commission. The committee therefore agreed to return to step 3 and it was further agreed that if no agreement could be reached at the next session, the Committee would consider the discontinuation of work on the level of linolenic acid.

2.8 Composition and naming of fatty acid modified vegetable oils It was presented by the electronic working group led by Canada. Due to lack of support to pursue this work, the committee agreed to discontinue the consideration of a system for naming vegetable oils that have modified fatty acid composition.

2.9.1 Proposal to amend the standard for olive oils and olive pomace oils: Content of delta – 7 – stigmastenol

After thorough discussion the committee agreed on the proposal from Syria to come back with draft standard.

2.9.2 Proposal for technical amendment of the standard for named vegetable oils: Update of variety of rapeseed oil – Low erucic acid

It was supported by the committee and agreed to request the commission to adopt the amendments to the standard for named vegetable oils to replace “Brassica campestris” with “Brassica rapa” in section 2.1.13 “Rapeseed oil” and section 2.1.14 “Rapeseed oil – low erucic acid”.

Proposal for new work item was presented by Switzerland. While several delegations expressed interest in this proposal, many delegations expressed their reservation on in –depth discuss at the current session because the proposal was made available only at the meeting and there was no enough time to consult with the relevant stakeholders. Finally the committee agreed to consider this proposal at the next session.

2.9.4 Proposal for the revision of the codex standard for named vegetable oils: Sunflower seed oils

The proposal was made available only at the meeting by Argentina and there was no enough time to consult with the relevant stakeholders. Finally the committee agreed to consider this proposal at the next session.

2.9.5 Proposal for new work item: Low linolenic acid, mid oleic acid and high oleic acid soybean oils

It was proposed by USA but there was no enough support. The committee agreed that this question might be consider in the future provided that the proposal would be supported by enough justification interims of production and trade data.

The committee was informed that its next session would meet in Malaysia in February 2011.

Report of the Ethiopian delegate on the 18th session of the Coordinating Committee for Africa held in Accra, Ghana from 24-27 February 2009.

1.1. The FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committee for Africa held its 18th Session in Accra, Ghana from 24 to 27 February 2009, by courtesy of the Government of Ghana.

The Session was chaired by Professor Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, professor of Food Science and Technology, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences University of Ghana Legon. The Session was attended by 169 delegates, advisors and observers representing 34 Member Countries, 04 Observer Members from outside the Region, and 10 International organizations.

1.2. The Codex Contact Person obtained financial support for the Travel expense from Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) and support for accommodation and living expenses from GTZ-Ethiopia to participate in this meeting.

1.3. Response was submitted to a circular letter CL 2008/30-Africa. By this response information was provided on:

-National food control systems and consumer participation in food standards setting,

- Participation in codex activities. The above information was clearly indicated in the documents CX/AFRICA 09/18/2- Add.1, CX /AFRICA 09/18/4-Add1, CX/AFRICA 09/18/5, CX /AFRICA 09/18/6 and CX/AFRICA 09/18/7.

1.4. During the meeting the country made oral comments and actively participate in the English working Group discussions. The meeting was well organized and correspond to the delegate’s expectations. The delegate shared experience on how to promote and strengthen the National Codex Committee activities and was able to take full advantage of the opportunity to participate.

2.1.1 The committee agreed that participation of developing countries in Codex was critical and that participation need to be strengthened.

2.1.2 The Committee acknowledged the role of the Codex Trust Fund in financially assisting developing countries to participate in Codex and extended its appreciation to the Trust Fund. The Committee agreed that funding through the Trust Fund was not sustainable over the long- run and that countries should seek other sources of financial assistance. It was noted that awareness of Codex by political decision- makers was critical in this regard.

2.1.3 The Committee was of the view that improved participation in Codex by countries of the region could be best be achieved through amongst others: strengthening national structures, such as Codex Contact Points and National Codex Committees; strengthening infrastructure and human resource capacity especially with regard to scientific data collection; and ensuring consistency of delegates to Codex meetings and that implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Coordination of CCAFRICA would contribute to achieving the aforementioned. The Committee further noted the importance of sensitizing the African Union (AU) and regional economic communities ( RECs) to the work of Codex.

2.2.1 The Committee noted that most members had implemented some mechanism either through a National Codex Committee or similar structure to promote interdisciplinary coordination at national level and that all stakeholders including consumer organizations were encouraged to participate but that several challenges remained to strengthen these structures and participate in them.

2.2.2 The Committee agreed that the Strategic Plan for the Coordination of CCAFRICA was a useful tool to:

- Enhancing participation of non-governmental organizations at international, regional and national levels.

2.2.3 The Representative of the African Union informed the Committee of the “Participation of the African Nations in Sanitary and phytosanitary standards- Setting Organizations” Project (PAN-SPSO) funded by the European Community and coordinated by the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR) with its implementation partners, the seven regional economic communities (RECs) on the continent. The Committee noted that one of the aims of the project is to facilitate effective participation of African countries in the activities of the OIE, IPPC and Codex.

2.3.1 The Delegation of Ghana as the Coordinator introduced its report on the progress of implementation of the strategic plan. The Delegation informed the Committee that a draft regional plan of action for CCAFRICA has been developed as well as a mechanism for monitoring progress of the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

2.3.2 Two in-session working Groups (English and French in-session working Groups) were established by the Committee to evaluate and produce report on the Draft Strategic Plan for the Coordination of CCAFRICA.

2.3.3 The Committee considered the reports of the two in-session working groups and agreed to all the priorities identified with minor changes, except for the proposal to develop regional guideline on GM foods.

2.3.4 The Representative of WHO indicated that the Trust Fund could provide a mechanism for support for some of the priority activities identified and that in collaboration with FAO and WHO would use the strategic plan to try and provide assistance to the region in the implementation of the strategic plan.

2.3.5 The Committee acknowledged and extended its appreciation to the Representative of the African Union for its offer to provide assistance to the region in the implementation of the strategic plan.

2.4.1. The Committee discussed the proposed format for annual country reports, that was necessary to facilitate analysis of the information by the Coordinator and accepted it with minor changes.

2.5 Information on National Food Control Systems and Consumer Participation in Food Standards Setting.

2.5.1. The Committee noted the recent developments and improvement of the national food control system in some countries, while in some other countries, national food law was being developed or reviewed and there was a need for human and financial resources for food control, legislation and regulation on food safety and quality, including laboratory capacity for inspection purposes. Several delegations however reported that some food control systems remained fragmented resulting in overlapping, duplication and inefficient use of resources.

2.5.2. The Committee also noted that in some countries there was high awareness of consumer participation in food standard setting. However in other countries there was still the need for more involvement of consumers and other stakeholders in this process.

On the proposal by the Delegation of Zambia, the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend to the 32nd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission that Ghana be reappointed Coordinator for Africa. The Committee expressed its appreciation to Ghana for the excellent work done during its first term as Coordinator.

- The NCC-Ethiopia should strengthen its efforts in line with the objectives set in the strategic plan for the coordination of CC AFRICA.

- The objectives set in the strategic plan for the coordination of CC AFRICA with the developed indicators during the meeting are useful tools to strengthen the NCC.

- The NCC plan should be further integrated with the priority areas, actions, indicators and the mechanisms for monitoring progress detailed under each objective in the strategic plan for the coordination of CCAFRICA.

The 1st Ethiopian Management systems Certification Body, QSAE Cert has been accredited by the German Association for Accreditation GMBH, TGA (web site: www.tga-gmbh.de). The accreditation certificate was handed over to his Excellency, Ato Juneydi Saddo, Minister of Science and Technology by Dr Thomas Facklam, Managing Director of TGA and current chair person of the International Accreditation Forum(IAF) on the remarkable event held at the Addis Ababa Hilton on 25 Feb, 2009. We are pleased to inform all parties concerned that the QSAE Cert is now ready to launch an Accredited Quality Management System Certification Service which is based on ISO 9001 standard to all local applicant companies in the scope of:
- Agriculture and Fishing.
- Food products, beverages and Tobacco.
- Textiles and Textile products.
- Leather and Leather Products.
- Chemicals, Chemical products and Fibers.
- Rubber and Plastic Products.
- Concrete , Cement , Lime , Plaster , etc.
- Construction and
- Education
Apply to QSAE Cert for Quality Management System Certification Service today!!

QSAE Laboratory Gets International Accreditation Certificate for Mass and Temperature Calibration

The Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) received an international accreditation certificate from the German Accreditation Service (DKD) at the handing over ceremony held at the Head office of QSAE, on Thursday August 2, 2007, Addis Ababa. During the ceremony, H.E Dr. Kebede Worku, State Minster of Health and member of Standards and Certification Council said that the accreditation of QSAE at this moment is a cornerstone for effective customers’ needs satisfaction such as provision of quality services on Mass and Temperature Calibration. On the handing over ceremony, Ato Mesai Girma, Director General of QSAE stated that the certificate enables the Authority to be recognized internationally on Mass and Temperature Calibration. He indicated that the accreditation certificate, which is the first in the accreditation history of QSAE, and the country, would help to identify substandard products that impede the national economy of the country. After handing over the certificate, Mr. Stefan Wallerath, German Metrology Institute (PTB) Project coordinator for Africa and Asian countries, on his part said that ensuring quality and standard is a fundamental issue for promoting the country’s export in international trade relations. He also noted that accrediting QSAE internationally on Mass and Temperature Calibration was made after two- to-three year intensive activities and would also take years for genuine viability of QSAE accreditation certificate. Ato Wondwosen Fisseha, Head of QSAE Calibration Laboratories, stated that the accreditation certificate is not a mere award but a valid certificate that recognizes the international accreditation of the calibration laboratory on Mass and Temperature Calibration.

Food Safety Management System Vital to Food Safety

A training seminar on food safety management system was held at Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) on July 9-20/2007, July 16-20/2007 and July 30-03 August/2007 with various participants from management, consultants and experts of QSAE. On the opening of the training seminar, Ato Deresa Fufa, Director of Quality Certification Directorate, noted that the seminar would create awareness on food manufacturers, and experts to enable them safeguard the safety, health and quality of food for the entire satisfaction of consumers’ needs in particular and for the well being of the society in general. He stressed that food safety is related to the presence of food-born hazards in food at the point of consumption for food safety hazards can occur at any stage of the food chain. To avoid this problem, adequate control throughout the food chain is essential. Ms Anya Knoteze, an expert of South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) delivered trainings to the participants on food safety management system principles and practices. She said that food safety is ensured through the combined efforts of all parties. The seminar helped raise awareness of benefits of food quality, food safety and hygiene starting from raw materials to final products via extensive implementation of food safety management elements such as interactive communication, system management, prerequisite programmes and HACCP principles.

National Consultative Meeting Conducted on Dairy and Maize Standards

As per the decision made on the Third Committee Meeting of Standardization Quality Assurance (SQA) of the COMESA held in Nairobi, Kenya, a national consultative meeting on dairy and maize standards harmonization was held at the Head Office of Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) 26-28 February 2007. Ato Legese Gebre, an expert on standards development and coordinator of the national program, welcomed the participants on behalf of QSAE and said the primary objectives of the meeting is to obtain the inputs of stakeholders at the national level and to deliberate on the Harmonization of Dairy and Maize Standards to be used by all members of COMESA when they are fully adopted. At the national meeting, representatives of QSAE, Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise, Ethiopia Health and Nutrition Research Institute, Ethiopian Crop Science Society, Ministry of Trade and Industry and FAFA Food Share Company participated for effective harmonization of standards on dairy and maize products. Dr. Kipkirui Langat and Mr Irwin Forman represented the RATES (Regional Agricultural Trade Expansion Service) of COMESA and Land O' Lake International respectively.

Council Approved 1019 Standards

The Standards and Certification Council of QSAE approved 1019 Ethiopian Standards as its meeting held on 29 December 2006. The standards approved are in the fields of flowers, edible salt, infant food, textiles, electric equipment and the like. With these newly approved standards,the total number of Ethiopian standards reaches 6972. This figure makes Ethiopia among one of the major African countries in developing many standards.