SIS, (Swedish Standards Institute), EAC, 2012-2018, standardisation

Main results that was expected to be achieved during the interim phase was twofold: Firstly, to enhance competence among National Standardisation Bodies (NSBs) in the EAC-region in leading and execution of national and international standard setting processes through national public-private partnerships. Secondly, to enhance competence among EAC-region stakeholders for effective participation in national and international standard setting processes. Four main activities were identified to be implemented during the interim phase:1. Allow the region/partner states to send delegates to international ISO meetings identified by the region as prioritised standardisation areas (i.e. ISO sponsorship);2. Support the EAC secretariat and the project steering committees to establish a proper communication mechanism for drafting regional positions for contributing to the international standard development process and ISO meetings (i.e. have a peer-review structure for identifying regional positions);3. Review administrative routines for smoother coordination of implementation in a possible second phase; 4. E-training. Below follows examples of results achieved during the interim phase: • 44 experts were sponsored to attend international ISO meetings for standardisation processes important for the country/region. Specific criteria were set to make sure the sponsored experts could actively contribute to the development of the standard.  • Information and knowledge-sharing increased with online dissemination of knowledge from participants attending ISO meetings to other stakeholders and to foster an institutionalisations of gained knowledge. SIS participated in these activities but mainly as observer to support the local engagement and sustainability of results. • Continued and increased twinning arrangements between EAC partner states and developed ISO member states. • Several standardisation areas based on regional and national priorities were supported. This to support an increased engagement in the standard processes of benefit to the partner states and the EAC region. • Three study visits were organised, two in conjunction with ISO sponsorship and one on the initiative of partner state. • Online trainings and support was given to further support the positive capacity building in the region. The content of online training sessions was assessed through discussions and direct involvement with participating organisations. • A draft communication mechanism was developed. • The local ownership and participatory approach was further strengthened, with a strong commitment among the EAC partner states. This has resulted in increased capacity and self confidence building among the experts.   

Sida has been in partnership with the "Swedish Standards Institute", SIS, to implement the first phase of the joint programme in partnership with the East African Communities (EAC) Secretariat "Trade Promotion through Standardisation in the EAC Region” between mid-2012 until April 2016, including a no-cost extension period. The application for an interim phase was submitted to Sida when the regional strategy for development cooperation in Africa south of Sahara (2016-2021) was still under development. Since the new strategy was not finalized and the operationalization processes not completed, Sida agreed to fund an interim phase in a transition period with the aim to maintain the momentum reached during the first phase and plan for a potential second phase. Sida continued partnership with SIS during an interim phase from May 2016 until June 2017 as a bridging period during the development of the new Swedish regional strategy for development cooperation with Sub-Saharan Africa (2016-2021). However, due to re-prioritisations under the new strategy, a second phase of partnership was not possible.  The main objective of the contribution was to support the EAC participatory engagement to increase the capacity to both influence and implement international standards so as to increase opportunities to trade both regionally and globally. The aim was to contribute to economic development through increased access to markets by local and regional producers. Another overall objective of the project was to ensure that the bioenergy sector maintains environmental sustainability and provides opportunities for poor people to benefit from the development. For the standard setting process, the ISO standard on Sustainability Criteria for Bioenergy was chosen as a training case. For the standards implementation process, ISO 14067 on Carbon Footprint of Products was chosen as a training case. Additional capacity was to be built through tailor-made and sector integrated training sessions complementary to the above mentioned ISO standards setting and implementation.