Niger - Standards for TradeNiger - Trade Standards
Overview
Nigerien consumers have become increasingly demanding; private companies have likewise become more responsive to consumers’ willingness to pay higher prices for products that meet higher standards. Furthermore, in some cases, standards are enforced to protect national products, now that customs duties and subsidies are declining. There are, therefore, official and mandatory standards imposed by the Nigerien government that are often in line with decisions taken by international organizations. Likewise there are voluntary standards developed by private importers, which reflect the reality of the market and the possibility of selling for higher prices.
Standards
Niger does not have an independent institute responsible for defining and enforcing compliance with product standards, but it has several public bodies charged with monitoring quality and compliance with standards. The Ministries of Animal Resources and Rural Development each have services that normally support producers in this regard. The Ministry of Public Health also plays a role both at the borders and within the country. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Private Sector Promotion has a Directorate of Standards, Quality, and Metrology (DNQM), with a restricted jurisdiction: meat, onions, hides and skins. Unfortunately, all of its services lack resources to perform their missions.
In 2008 an Agency for the Verification of Conformity to Standards was created to improve the situation.
Product Certification
The Government of Niger publishes newly adopted Technical Regulations and Standards in the Official Journal of the Republic. Interested parties have a period of least 60 days to make observations on the Technical Regulations draft. Niger’s standards are generally based on international standards. These standards are not mandatory except those covering technical regulations for health and public security problems.
Contact Information
Direction de la Normalisation de la Qualité et de la Métrologie
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé
B.P. : 480
Phone : (227) 20 73 69 50
Direction du Développement du Secteur Privé
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé
B.P.: 480
Phone: (227) 20 73 58 81
Fax: (227) 20 73 21 50
Direction des Etudes et de la Programmation
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé
B.P. 480
Phone: (227)20 73 58 86 Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Nigerien consumers have become increasingly demanding; private companies have likewise become more responsive to consumers’ willingness to pay higher prices for products that meet higher standards. Furthermore, in some cases, standards are enforced to protect national products, now that customs duties and subsidies are declining. There are, therefore, official and mandatory standards imposed by the Nigerien government that are often in line with decisions taken by international organizations. Likewise there are voluntary standards developed by private importers, which reflect the reality of the market and the possibility of selling for higher prices.
Standards
Niger does not have an independent institute responsible for defining and enforcing compliance with product standards, but it has several public bodies charged with monitoring quality and compliance with standards. The Ministries of Animal Resources and Rural Development each have services that normally support producers in this regard. The Ministry of Public Health also plays a role both at the borders and within the country. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Private Sector Promotion has a Directorate of Standards, Quality, and Metrology (DNQM), with a restricted jurisdiction: meat, onions, hides and skins. Unfortunately, all of its services lack resources to perform their missions.
In 2008 an Agency for the Verification of Conformity to Standards was created to improve the situation.
Product Certification
- Pursuant to the WAEMU regulatory framework, which established the Système ouest-africain d'accréditation (SOAC), an accredited laboratory, a certificate or a mark must attest that an imported product complies with the government’s technical regulations.
- Product certification does not exist in Niger, but there are plans to set up voluntary certification system for products and services.
- U.S. testing laboratories may operate in the market and test U.S. products to comply with domestic regulatory requirements.
The Government of Niger publishes newly adopted Technical Regulations and Standards in the Official Journal of the Republic. Interested parties have a period of least 60 days to make observations on the Technical Regulations draft. Niger’s standards are generally based on international standards. These standards are not mandatory except those covering technical regulations for health and public security problems.
Contact Information
Direction de la Normalisation de la Qualité et de la Métrologie
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé
B.P. : 480
Phone : (227) 20 73 69 50
Direction du Développement du Secteur Privé
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé
B.P.: 480
Phone: (227) 20 73 58 81
Fax: (227) 20 73 21 50
Direction des Etudes et de la Programmation
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de la Promotion du Secteur Privé
B.P. 480
Phone: (227)20 73 58 86 Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.