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Service celebrates World Accreditation Day
ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Accreditation Service (EAS) has urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen their safety and quality standards to gain global market acceptance, build trust, and remain competitive as Ethiopia edges closer to joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
EAS marked World Accreditation Day under the theme “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises.”
Speaking at the event, EAS Director General Bonsa Bayissa noted that Ethiopia is preparing for a transformative phase as it nears accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), with a vision of creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive and meet international standards.
To seize this pivotal opportunity, he stated that institutions, including SMEs, must adopt robust operational systems that prioritize sustainable growth.
“Quality is the main player in penetrating the global market,” he emphasized, urging SMEs to critically assess and improve their products to meet consumer demands. “This approach will enable them to sell directly to the market,” the Director General suggested.
“We are in a time when the market demands quality products; quality is the foundation of sustainability and essential for staying competitive. SMEs must be ready for this reality,” Bonsa added.
He also highlighted EAS’s role in promoting fair market competition by accrediting conformity assessment bodies, which supports public health, consumer safety, and environmental protection. EAS further accredits medical laboratories to ensure effective quality management systems and enhance proficiency testing.
Bonsa emphasized that EAS operates under an internationally recognized accreditation framework, enabling the issuance of globally accepted certificates for goods and services in Ethiopia. This includes accreditation for testing, calibration, certification, and inspection activities.
Trade and Regional Integration State Minister Endalew Mekonen also underscored the importance of safety and quality for SMEs aiming to enter both domestic and international markets.
He stated that SMEs play a vital role in national development and are expected to gradually evolve into large-scale industries. However, many face resource constraints and difficulties accessing global markets. Accreditation from recognized bodies, he said, is crucial for maintaining competitiveness.
Quality initiatives require the collaboration of interconnected institutions that support one another and this ultimately helps SMEs contribute meaningfully to the broader economy, Endalew noted.
During the event, over 20 institutions received certificates of accreditation.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025
