Cotecna Benin Participates in the 2026 National Certification and Accreditation Day

Organized by the National Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control (ANM), this major event brought together key stakeholders from Benin’s national and international trade ecosystem, including importers, local producers, consulting firms, manufacturers, as well as conformity assessment and quality infrastructure professionals.

Represented by its Country Manager, Claude Edgard ZOCLI, Cotecna Benin co-hosted, alongside the ANM and the LCSSA Laboratory, a panel discussion entitled:

“Conformity Assessment Bodies: 2026 Mid-Year Review and Outlook.”

During his presentation, Claude Edgard ZOCLI shared a clear vision of Benin’s conformity assessment system and highlighted the strong collaboration among the various stakeholders of the national quality ecosystem. He emphasized:

“We are not competitors, but links in the same chain, working together to strengthen supply chain reliability, improve the integrity of the national market, enhance the competitiveness of Made in Benin products, and protect consumers.”

He also noted that the culture of quality is gaining significant momentum in Benin, driven by growing national, regional, and continental standards requirements particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as well as by the evolution of public procurement practices, which increasingly integrate compliance and quality criteria.

Addressing strategic priorities for the months ahead, he stressed the importance of making compliance more accessible and demystifying certification processes by highlighting the tangible and immediate benefits they bring to businesses. He proposed several avenues for action, including the development of progressive certification pathways, the strengthening of awareness and training programs, and the financing of pilot initiatives that demonstrate the direct impact of certification on market access and business opportunities.

He also called for the continuation and reinforcement of support mechanisms provided by the government and development partners to assist informal-sector operators engaged in formalization efforts, notably through the partial financing of conformity assessment costs.

To conclude, the Country Manager of Cotecna Benin delivered a key message:

“Quality should no longer be seen as a constraint. It is a strategic investment that creates value and drives sustainable growth.”

Cotecna Benin extends its sincere thanks to the ANM, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Benin (CCIB), and all stakeholders committed to promoting a culture of quality and industrial development in Benin.

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.