Institutional architecture

Layered architecture from policy mandate to customs clearance

The Pan-African Conformity Gateway operationalizes AfCFTA Annex 6 at transaction level, while preserving the mandates of standards bodies, accreditation bodies and national competent authorities.

Policy layer

AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Goods · Annex 6 on Technical Barriers to Trade

Article 6: cooperation in standardization
Article 8: cooperation in conformity assessment
Article 9: cooperation in accreditation

Standards layer

ARSO · National standards · ACAP schemes

African Regional Standards (ARS): placeholder reference
National standards adopted by competent authority
African Conformity Assessment Programme schemes

Accreditation layer

AFRAC MRA · National accreditation bodies · ILAC / IAF references

AFRAC mutual recognition arrangements
National accreditation bodies (SANAS, KENAS, GhaNAS, etc.: placeholders)
ILAC MRA and IAF MLA international references

Operating layer

Operating engine · GIG Tech / Outspection

CAB registry · Lab registry · Assignment routing · Workflow engine · Document review · Certificate generation · API hub

Scope-based CAB and laboratory routing
Workflow engine for document review and inspection assignment
Certificate generation and API hub for downstream consumers

National authority layer

Bureau of Standards · Ministry · Customs · Single Window

National authority retains certifying authority
Regulated product scope and fee structure
Data residency and customs API integration

Trade user layer

Importer · Exporter · Clearing agent · Manufacturer · Laboratory · Inspection company

Pre-import conformity application and tracking
Document upload, fee settlement, certificate retrieval
Inspection scheduling and lab test routing

Cross-cutting flows

How the layers connect

Policy → Standards

AfCFTA mandates ARSO and national standards adoption.

Standards → Accreditation

AFRAC MRAs recognise accredited CABs against published standards.

Accreditation → Operating

Registry consumes scopes, certificates and capacity in real time.

Operating → National

Workflow routes applications to designated authority for issuance.

National → Trade gate

Verified conformity data transmitted to customs and Single Window.

Governance principles

· No parallel accreditation system
· National authority retains certificate authority
· Standards mandates remain with ARSO and national bodies
· Accreditation mandates remain with AFRAC signatories
· Procurement-neutral deployment options

NoteDecision support only. Final validation by competent authority. The gateway does not displace the institutional mandates of AfCFTA, ARSO, AFRAC, PAQI or national accreditation and standards bodies.