Ethiopian Standards Proclamation No. 1343/2024.

The Ethiopian Standards Proclamation No. 1343/2024 establishes a legal framework governing the development, adoption, publication, and enforcement of Ethiopian standards. Its purpose is to create a coherent national standards system aligned with international practice, ensure the quality and safety of products, services, and processes, prevent risks to human, animal, and plant health and the environment, and support economic development and fair trade. The Proclamation establishes the Institute of Ethiopian Standards as an autonomous federal body accountable to the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, defines its objectives, governance structure, powers, and funding, and creates a Standards Board and technical committees for standards development. It regulates the preparation, approval, publication, revision, and withdrawal of both mandatory and voluntary standards, including requirements for impact assessment, public consultation, and periodic systemic review. The Proclamation sets out rules for the authorization, use, renewal, suspension, and revocation of the Ethiopian standards mark and for conformity assessment and certification. It defines enforcement mechanisms for mandatory standards, conferring inspection, surveillance, permitting, and recall powers on the Ministry and regional trade authorities, and sets out rights and obligations of regulated entities and inspectors. Administrative measures, prohibited acts, and criminal penalties for non-compliance are specified. Grievance and appeal procedures are established.