An application for registration of the ECOWAS certification mark (ECOQMARK) has been made to the Intellectual Property Organization of Cabo Verde (IGQPI).

As a reminder, the general rules and logo of ECOQMARK were adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in June 2021. In order to protect the Mark against misuse and abuse, WACQIP has undertaken the registration of the Mark with national, regional and international intellectual property organizations for all ECOWAS Member States. The registration with IGQPI is the first step which will be followed by the registration with other organizations such as WIPO, OAPI, etc.

It should be recalled that this ECOWAS Mark of conformity to standards (ECOQMARK) has been developed and already proposed to be affixed on some products (drinking water, cashew nuts, vegetable oils, fish and cement). It is therefore ready to be applied to regional value chains. It could be affixed to protective masks as part of the prevention of Covid 19 infection.