e-management e-training Organismes accrédités
Anglais

SOAC

WAAS in brief

The West African Accreditation System (SOAC) was created in 2005 by Regulation No. 01/2005/CM/UEMOA of the Council of Ministers of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) on the scheme for the harmonization of accreditation, certification, standardization and metrology activities in the UEMOA, Regulation repealed and replaced in 2010 by Regulation No. 3/2010/CM/UEMOA of the same title.

SOAC is the sole accreditation body authorized to assess the competence of conformity assessment bodies, including certification bodies, inspection bodies, and laboratories operating within the WAEMU region. It was designed as:

  • Community instrument for consumer protection assistance;
  • Passport for access of West African products and services to national, regional and international markets.

The headquarters of SOAC is located in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. It may be transferred to another location in one of its member states, by decision of the General Assembly.

Vision

Accreditation helps to unite and catalyze skills in the field of conformity assessment to protect us today and tomorrow.

Assignment

To deliver high-level accreditation services in West Africa, the results of which serve as a gateway for the development of international trade and as a tool to aid decision-making by the regulator and other relevant stakeholders to protect consumers.