NAIROBI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The African Union on Friday launched an Eco-friendly certification scheme to promote sustainable production and consumption in the continent.
Simplice Nouala, head of division for agriculture and food security at the African Union Commission, told journalists in Nairobi that the EcoMark Africa label is a continent wide harmonized standard for African products in tourism, agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.
"The Ecolabelling standards are set for goods and services which meet set of environmental, societal, economic and legal principles," Nouala said.
He said that the Ecomark Africa certification will contribute towards improving the environmental and social profile of African products and therefore expand market access for African products.
The AU official said that the EcoMark certification system is a tool for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative.
Nouala added that the launching of the scheme fits within the goal of the AfCFTA which calls for deeper economic integration and the free movement of goods and services.
He observed that the Eco Mark Africa certification could cement bilateral relations among African countries and alleviate some of the testing and conformity assessment issues encountered by African traders.
