Destination Inspection Department

1. INTRODUCTION

The Ghana standards Board (GSB) was established by NRCD 173 of 1973 and is solely vested with the responsibility for preparing standards for products and processes and for ensuring compliance with Government policies on Standards, Metrology, Standardization, Testing and Quality Assurance of both locally manufactured and imported products and services throughout the country.

In August 2003, the Ghana Standards Board was mandated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, PSD/PSI to take over the inspection of all High Risk Goods (HRGs) from the Inspection Companies. The Destination Inspection was to be carried out at all the ports of entry in Ghana.  The role of Ghana Standards Board at the ports therefore is to ensure compliance of imported goods with established Technical Regulations and Standards (conformity assessment) in order to prevent the importation/distribution of substandard products into the Ghanaian market.

In furtherance to the objective of the Destination Inspection Programme, the Ghana Standards Board evolved a new system to ascertain the quality and safety of the products without concentrating on extensive testing that can cause undue delays at the ports of entry.

This system is based on conformity assessment which is defined as a process whereby a product, process, or service or system is evaluated with the object of determining either directly or indirectly that relevant requirements are fulfilled.

The rationales for the introduction of Destination Inspection of HRGs include:

1. Consumer protection
2. Promotion of fair trade
3. Health and safety implications
4. Protection of Ghanaian consumers from illegal importation of prohibited or inferior/shoddy goods.

Over the years the Ghanaian market had been virtually flooded with fake goods especially drugs which are sometimes adulterated, expired goods, sub standard goods and improper labeled products.

2. PROCEDURE FOR THE CLEARING OF HIGH RISK GOODS

1. All importers of HRGs shall register with the Ghana Standard Board
2. Importers shall purchase the relevant applicable Ghana Standard(s)
3. Importers shall send declaration to the Ghana Standards Board through the GCNet.
4. All imported HRGs should be accompanied with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA or Certificate of Conformance (CoC) , with reference to the applicable standard specifications) issued by a competent laboratory preferably in the exporting country.
5. Failure to provide a CoA/CoC would mean that the consignment could not be cleared until samples of the product have been tested to the applicable standard and found to have satisfied the requirements.  The importer shall pay a processing and testing fee to be determined from time to time.
6. Upon arrival, the goods shall be subjected to the ff:

   a. Visual Inspection of product label and assessment of relevant quality attributes at the point of entry.

   b. Depending on the quality status of brand and the risk assessment rating of the Importer and Exporting country, the Inspector may take random samples for verification and review of the rating of brand, exporter and importer.

7. The goods will be released within 48 hours if the following conditions are satisfied:

   a. The CoA/CoC is authenticated;

   b. The product label conforms to the relevant requirements of the standard;

   c. Other documents on the consignment are found to be adequate e.g. permits from other agencies.

8. Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) shall clear the consignment after the relevant documents have been endorsed by the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) Inspector.

9. The clearance may be expedited if the importer submits advance samples to GSB for quality evaluation before committing to import.

10. Where GSB is unable to complete Conformity Assessment on HRGs detained for quality checks within 48 hours, the consignment may be considered for provisional release on the understanding that the goods will not be disposed of until the outcome of conformity assessment exercise has been determined.  In such circumstances, the Importer or his agent shall apply formally to the GSB for provisional release to a warehouse

The following information should be provided:

1. Photocopies of Bill of Lading, GCNet Provisional approval, Packing List/ Invoice and FCVR.
2.  
3. Name, Address and contact numbers of the Importer and authorized clearing agent.
4. The location address of the Importer’s warehouse.
5.  
6. An undertaking duly signed by the importer or his agent assuring GSB that products released provisionally/conditionally shall not be distributed or sold until GSB issues a final release letter to the importer.

3. SAMPLING EXERCISE AT THE PORTS

A sample for the purposes of the services referred to here shall mean any product or entity that
is brought to GSB for laboratory tests and investigation.  
Testing of sample is carried out to determine either directly or indirectly that the product conforms to applicable standard. For economic and technical reasons, it is difficult to measure the entire lot, so samples are taken and measured to estimate the mean value and the dispersion of the lot. In order to achieve the degree of accuracy and the precision required for the information, the following conditions must be satisfied.

1. The sample should be adequate in relation to the precision required
2. The sample should be representative of the lot or population.

 

4. GSB LABELLING REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTED PRODUCTS

The following are the labelling requirements of GSB as specified in the (L.I. 1541); GSB General Labelling Rules, 1992 with respect to compliance inspection of imported goods:

1. Label

- Name of product
- List of ingredients in food
- list of active ingredients and their levels in drugs
- Date of manufacture and Expiry date/Best before date/Use by date in respect
   of food
- Date of manufacture and Expiry date in respect of drugs
- Storage conditions
- Instruction or directions for use
- Net content
- Name and address of manufacturer
- Country of Origin
- Date of manufacture
- Batch/Lot number
- Electro technical or chemical characteristics for goods other than food and     drugs 
- Marks or labels shall be printed, impressed, embossed or stamped.
- Where marks or labels are stamped, they shall be in indelible ink and legible.
- The trade mark or brand name shall not be substituted for the name of a food

2. All information on the label in foreign language other than English shall be translated into English language.  Failure to comply may lead to impoundment of such goods/products.

3. Electric lamps (fluorescent lamps and electric bulbs) shall carry information on Life performance while Electric cables should carry information on the ratings, among others.

4. All electronic equipments/items and other items where applicable shall carry Guaranty/Warranty information of at least six (6) months.

5. All electronic equipment/items and instruments shall carry safety information and or safety signs.

6. Batteries must carry clearly the ratings and type.

5. HANDLING/SEIZURE OF NON-CONFORMING IMPORTED PRODUCTS

Goods found to be non-conforming to the applicable standard(s) shall be disposed of in accordance with established Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) procedures.

6. LIST OF BROAD GROUPINGS OF HIGH RISK GOODS

1. Food Products
2. Pharmaceuticals
3. Electrical Appliances
4. Electrical Products e.g. Bulbs, switches, sockets
5. Electrical cables
6. Electronic Products
7. LPG Cylinders and Accessories
8. Toys
9. Chemical and Allied Products
10. Building Materials
11. Used Goods
12. Petroleum Products
13. Pyrotechnic Products
14. Motor Vehicle Batteries
15. Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic products
16. African Textile Prints
17. Arms and Ammunitions
18. Machetes/Cutlass
19. Vehicle spare parts
20. Industrial Machinery