5.12 Consumer Protection 5.12.1 Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) The GSA has adopted and produced ISO Standards as Ghana Standards for operators in the Oil and Gas Industry in Ghana. The GSB has revised the general calibration and testing laboratories requirements of 1999 for a quality management system for a laboratory. The new requirement is referred to as Total Quality Management and ISO/IEC 17025. The ISO/IEC 17025 standard in addition to management requirements provides technical requirements. The requirements seek to address technical competence of calibration and testing laboratories and ensure the documentation of procedures and development of skills, techniques and methods that will assure customers of technically valid results. Consumer Protection The Ghana Standards Authority ensures the development of National Standards which are harmonized with relevant International Standards to promote quality and safety in both local and international trade. The Authority also adopts relevant International Standards including ISO Standards, for all manufacturing industries, service providers and operators in he Oil and Gas Industry in Ghana. The GSA has had five (5) of its laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, the standard for General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. The accredited laboratories are Mass, Temperature and Pressure at the Metrology Division; and Microbiology and Pesticide Residue Laboratories at the Testing Division The GSA has intensified its inspection activities of products offered for sale in the country and for export. This is to ensure that sub-standard products, particularly High Risk Goods are prevented from entering or leaving the country. High Risk Goods are products that have serious health and safety implications on the consuming public. Inspections and audits are conducted through: • • • • product inspection destination inspection of High Risk Goods fish inspection market surveillance Sixth Annual APRM Progress Report: January – December 2011 81