Describes the country's standards landscape, identifies the national standards and accreditation bodies, and lists the main national testing organization(s) and conformity assessment bodies.
Last Published: 2/23/2017
  • Overview
  • Standards Organizations
  • Conformity Assessment
  • Product Certification
  • Accreditation
  • Publication of Technical Regulations
  • Labeling and Marking
  • Contacts

 Overview    
                                                                       
As a WTO member, Panama implemented the WTO's Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) that includes the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards.  The government of Panama (GOP) passed Law 23 of July 15, 1997, which established new dispositions on product standards, labeling and certification policy, and redefined the functions of the Directorate General of Standards and Industrial Technology (DGNTI) and the Panamanian Commission for Industrial and Technical Standards (COPANIT).  Basically, DGNTI was given the main role in establishing standards and technical regulations, while COPANIT was given an advisory role to DGNTI.  The National Council for Accreditation (CNA) was charged with all national accreditations.
 
Panama has an open economy and there are no significant market access problems related to standards and technical regulations.  Certain market access problems have occurred in the past with several agricultural products, but they have been mostly related to phytosanitary issues.
 
According to WTO guidelines, Panama informs WTO of any standards or technical regulations activities.  U.S. companies can participate in the standards development process by contacting DGNTI and submitting specific requests or suggestions.  There are no limitations to participation by foreign countries.
 
Products for which Panama has not set standards/regulations can enter the Panamanian market provided that they comply with standards and technical regulations from the U.S., Europe or any other industrialized country.

Standards Organizations                                               

The Directorate General of Standards and Industrial Technology (DGNTI) establishes technical regulations and standards in Panama.  Because of budget and other limitations, this organization has been mostly dedicated to establishing standards for food products upon specific requests by industrial organizations and according to WTO guidelines.  DGNTI establishes a semiannual working plan showing all activities it will undertake for the following six months.  DGNTI performs its functions through its three departments: Standards, Certifications, and the Information Center.

NIST Notify U.S. Service

Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to report to the WTO all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other Member countries.  Notify U.S. is a free, web-based e-mail subscription service that offers an opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical regulations that can affect your access to international markets.  Register online at Internet URL: http://www.nist.gov/notifyus/

Conformity Assessment                                                     

While DGNTI leads in conducting conformity assessments, it is joined by a number of other public and private organizations.  These organizations include the Central Laboratory of Health from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), the University of Panama, the Technological University of Panama, the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT), the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), the Consumer Protection Authority and Defense of Competition, and the Agricultural Marketing Institute (IMA).  Panama does not have any Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with U.S. organizations.

Product Certification                                                        

Once the conformity assessments have been conducted, the DGNTI will issue a conformity assessment certificate.  DGNTI is the only organization authorized to issue conformity assessments related to products.  Other private organizations such as SGS and Bureau Veritas deal with conformity assessments on system or procedures and can issue certificates, but only related to systems.

Accreditation                                                             

The National Council for Accreditation (CNA) created by Law 23, July 15, 1997, is the government authority in charge of all national accreditations.  This Council is formed by a number of government organizations including the Ministries of Commerce, Health and Agricultural Development, and the National Secretariat of Science and Technology (SENACYT).  The CNA works through a technical secretariat, which is the technical body of the Council.  Accreditation is largely voluntary.
 
The technical secretariat appoints accreditation committees, which are groups formed by specialists from the public and private sectors.  These committees provide basic input for CNA decisions.  Accreditation is obligatory for organizations that deal with fuel laboratories and environmental testing laboratories.  All other accreditations are voluntary.  Accreditation can be granted in three categories: Laboratories (calibration and testing), inspection organizations, and certifying organizations.  As of December 2010, there were fifteen organizations that had been accredited by CNA, but there were several accreditation applications under review.

Publication of Technical Regulations                               

All final technical norms and regulations are published by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the Official Gazette or “Gaceta Oficial.”
 
Law 23 requires that the General Directorate of Standards and Industrial Technology (DGNTI) publishes all agreements, technical regulations, norms, and procedures.
 
Official Gazette or Gaceta Oficial:  http://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/
Panama, Rep. of Panama
Tel. +507 527-9393
Fax. +507 527-9391

Labeling and Marking                                               

Local regulations require labels to be in the Spanish language.  However, this regulation is not enforced at present, except for medicines, agricultural chemicals, toxic products, and food products that require specific instructions or warnings due to human health risks.  Labels are required to have basic information regarding the name and address of manufacturer, expiration date, list of ingredients, lot number, and the product form, e.g. powder, liquid, etc. 
 
In general, products that comply with U.S. labeling and marking requirements are accepted for sale in Panama.  Food products labeling and marking must comply with CODEX Alimentarius guidelines.
 
All goods arriving in Panama intended for re-exportation immediately must be marked "PANAMA IN TRANSIT" on each box or outside container.

Contacts                                                                              

The WTO TBT Inquiry Point and National Information Center is:
 
Direccion General de Normas y Tecnologia Industrial (DGNTI)
Contact: Maria Isabel Osorio, Director General
P.O. Box 0815-01119
Panama, Republic of Panama
Tel. +507 560-0716
Fax. +507 560-0721
E-mail: dgnti@mici.gob.pa
 
Consejo Nacional de Acreditacion (CNA)
Contact:  Ahmed Moron, Section Chief
P.O. Box 0815-01119
Panama, Republic of Panama
Phone: +507 560-0715
Fax: +507 560-0715
E-mail: aemoron@mici.gob.pa
http://www.cna.gob.pa

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