Within the framework of the implementation of the association agreement between Tunisia and the European Union which provides for a mutual recognition agreement with the EU in the field of conformity assessment, an accord entitled ACAA (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Accreditation of industrial products)  is being prepared in order that the Tunisian quality infrastructure is recognized by the EU.

 In order to do so and to complement the various actions started by other assistance programs, a twinning project (link with section: The twinning project) between the Ministry of Industry, Energy and SMEs and the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment was launched in April 2007 for a 2 (two)-year period.

This project, which provides public and private expertise in the field of standardization, accreditation, metrology, analysis and tests as well as market surveillance, aims at supporting the Tunisian administration for the preparation of the ACAA.

Priority sectors concerned by this project are the products of the mechanical, electrical and construction industries.

What are the benefits of an ACAA?

Tunisian technical regulations, standards and evaluation procedures for conformity of electrical, mechanical and construction products will be identical to the European technical regulations, standards and conformity evaluation procedures.

Tunisian conformity assessment bodies specialized in the priority sectors will be recognized in Europe.

Market surveillance in Tunisia will also follow the same principles as those in Europe: The controls at the border will be simplified, while the controls on the local market will be more stringent and all non-conforming products, whether locally made or imported, will be taken off the market.

 If you are an importer…

In addition to the fact that products you import from Europe will be exempt from customs duties in Tunisia beginning from 2008...