Equipment Standards:
Due to increasing government and public concern about the poor quality and safety of electrical and electronic apparatus in the market, Type Approval is being introduced as a mandatory solution to address this growing problem.
Type Approval is a regulatory function that allows an equipment to be certified to have met basic or minimum technical and safety requirements so as to guarantee its usefulness and also to safeguard the consumer’s interest. For the purpose of these guidelines electromagnetic compatibility must also be assured. In particular, for example within the telecoms sector, Type approval further:
- Protects consumers from products that are unsafe and can easily cause fires destroying property but also a threat to public health as well.
- Ensures that the equipment and appliances operate satisfactorily and that consumers get good value for money
In The Gambia, all electrical appliance and equipment are imported mostly from Europe and Asia. Thus two similar appliances can enter the market conforming to tow different standards. This has over the last few years resulted in huge price differentials between the two creating to a market segmentation of ‘good’ and ‘substandard’ appliances.
A draft Guideline for the Registration of Electrical Equipment being imported to ensure that they are Type Approved and conform to a uniform international standard is currently undergoing stakeholder consultation and it is hope that the scheme will be introduced in the first quarter of 2009.Particular focus is being given to non industrial electrical cables. Indeed PURA has obtained samples of cables being sold in the market and some of the most popular hardware stores are selling sub-standard cables.
Due to the complexity of implementing such a programme, an extensive consultation process is currently under way starting with mass sensitization on the radio and also with policy makers.
It is anticipated that all importers and suppliers will eventually comply with these guidelines prior to the importation of any product.Applying standards can be quite a challenge especially considering the wide range of appliances in the market. Thus PURA is working closely with international standards bodies like the International Electrotechnical Commission.
A National Electrotechnical Committee has already being established, with PURA as the Secretariat.
