In view of the WACQIP’s COVID-19 response, the WACOMP regional component has successfully supported the drafting, development, and adoption of two ECOWAS standards (ECOSTANDs) on barrier masks for non-sanitary use and hydroalcoholic gels. Thanks to the agile and swift adaptation of working modalities to online solutions, UNIDO project teams managed to efficiently support the overall standardization process, including the submission to and adoption by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in less than two (2) months. The adoption of these two harmonized regional standards on barrier masks and
hand sanitizers was commended by the ECOWAS Heads of States during their 57th Ordinary Session on 7th September 2020.
The adoption of the two (2) ECOWAS standards will foster consumer protection and health and safety across the four hundred million citizens of West Africa, including young people and women. These standards will become the benchmark in all fifteen
countries in the ECOWAS region and in Mauritania to produce barrier masks for non-sanitary use and
hydro-alcoholic hands products and advance regional trade and ensure enhanced safety of these products to the West African consumers.