Further resources for exporters
Information on the quality and standards that importing countries require is available from these organisations.
Where to look
Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries
Part of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It publishes market information on the European Union, market surveys, matchmaking between European importers and exporters in developing and least developed countries, and EU food safety standards.
Codex Alimentarius Commission
Created by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization to develop food standards, guidelines and codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
European Commission
Its health and consumer protection directorate keeps up-to-date laws on the safety of food and other products and on consumers' rights. National, regional and local authorities in EU countries apply them.
Quality Infrastructure in the East African Community
A forum for harmonising regional standards. Its site records how Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have complied with international standards in food, farming, construction, engineering, chemicals and textiles.
South African Perishable Products Export Control Board
Set up in 1926 to control South Africa's perishable exports. Its site gives an idea of the quality standards applied to those exports.
EU Trade Help Desk
Run by the European Commission for developing countries. It gives EU and member state import requirements, internal taxes on products, EU preferential import regimes for developing countries, and trade data.
World Bank Trade and Competitiveness
Research on standards, the standards work of other development agencies, and links to other agencies and private standards initiatives.