3.86.  Sierra Leone is a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).[65]

3.87.  The country did not notify any SPS regulations during the review period. It has also not notified the WTO of its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) legislation or designated an enquiry point under the SPS Agreement. However, the authorities have stated that the National SPS Committee serves as the established enquiry point, and the SLSB (under the Ministry of Trade and Industry) functions as the notification authority

3.88.  The main SPS provisions related to trade in plant products are outlined in the Agriculture Inspection Rules under Chapter 185 (Cap 185) of 1946 for exports and the Plant Phytosanitary (Import) Rules of 1974 (amended in 1976). The latter lists 64 categories of plants and plant products, specifying which are prohibited from import unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, inspection, or treatment.[66] In the context of this Review, the authorities noted in 2024 that an updated pest list is under preparation. The Food and Feed Safety Act, adopted in 2017 in Sierra Leone, aims to ensure the safety and quality of food and feed, protect public health, promote fair trade practices, and address related matters.[67] According to the authorities, other sources for standards and requirements regarding the import of food products, animals, and plants are the Trade and Food Standards set by the FAO and WHO, the WHO's International Health Regulations (Third Edition (2005)), the EU Legal Requirements for Imports of Fruits and Vegetables (A Supplier's Guide), and the Codex Alimentarius

3.89.  In general, the SPS regulatory framework for imports and exports of agricultural products is outdated and misaligned with modern agricultural practices and priority products. For example, various international organizations, including the International Trade Centre and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization note that since Cap 185 was enacted in 1946, quality standards have evolved, leading to discrepancies between Cap 185 and international best practices.[68] This misalignment creates barriers to trade. Modernizing the framework could encourage investment and enhance Sierra Leone's agricultural exports, improving access to regional and global markets

3.90.  During the previous Review, the authorities indicated that a phytosanitary policy and phytosanitary and pest control bills were in the drafting stage. However, these documents were not finalized during the current review period. The Fishery Products Regulations, 2007 outline health requirements for fish processing facilities and conditions for imports and exports and also set the requirements for obtaining an export certificate.[69]

3.91.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security (MAFFS) holds the primary responsibility for developing and implementing SPS measures related to crops and livestock. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation is responsible for enforcing SPS regulations concerning food safety and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the Fishery Products Regulations, 2007 designate the Food Unit of the Ministry of Health as the authority responsible for inspection services to verify and certify compliance of fishery and aquaculture products with the regulations

3.92.  The institutional framework has been under construction over the last couple of years, but progress was slow during the review period. In 2017, the Food and Feed Safety Act provided for the establishment of an Authority tasked with developing and maintaining food and feed safety control systems. Upon its establishment, the Authority will be expected to regulate food and feed businesses and ensure compliance with prescribed standards throughout the food and feed chain. The Act also called for the creation of a Food and Feed Safety Scientific Committee to provide scientific advice, technical support, and policy recommendations. The Committee is also expected to be responsible for delivering independent information and communicating risks

3.93.  The Crop Protection Unit under MAFFS is responsible for conducting phytosanitary inspections and certifications for plant imports. However, due to a lack of designated laboratories, inspections are only physical. The PMB, established by an Act of Parliament in 2013, is tasked with regulating export quality control for agricultural products in line with the Agriculture Inspection Rules under Chapter 185 (Cap 185).[70] The Livestock and Animal Health Department of MAFFS conducts inspections of livestock, which were limited to two border posts at the time of the previous Review. Inspection fees are borne by importers and exporters. However, the authorities did not provide information about applicable rates

3.94.  In general, a phytosanitary certificate is required for the international transport of plant materials and products. For exports, these certificates are issued by the Phytosanitary Control Unit within MAFFS in accordance with the IPPC format. Certificates are issued following a pest-risk analysis for plant products considered "pathways" for pest introduction, which require fumigation

3.95.  Sierra Leone participates in regional SPS frameworks to further reinforce its biosafety framework. For instance, the Revised ECOWAS Treaty encourages the harmonization of plant and animal protection measures, as well as agricultural strategies and regulations within West Africa. Furthermore, the African Union introduced the SPS Policy Framework for Africa in 2019 to promote enhanced cooperation and harmonization of SPS measures across the continent.[71] However, it appears that the lack of assessment mechanisms to monitor member States' SPS measures has continued to hinder the effective implementation of regional regulations

3.74.  The legal and institutional framework for standards and technical regulations remained broadly unchanged during the review period

3.75.  The Standards Act No. 2 of 1996 continues to serve as the legal framework for regulating standardization, certification, and conformity assessment. This Act also led to the establishment of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB), which is responsible for overseeing standardization and quality management activities. It further established the National Standards Council, which was operationalized in 2020 and is tasked with approving the standardization work programme and the list of technical committees. The Council's membership includes representatives from various ministries, such as those overseeing agriculture, health, and the environment, along with members from academic institutions and business associations

3.76.  As of January 2025, despite the existence of several technical regulations, Sierra Leone has not notified any technical regulations or designated a national enquiry point under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). However, in the context of this review, the authorities indicate that the SLSB has been assigned the role of the country's enquiry point under the TBT Agreement

3.77.  Additionally, in accordance with the Weight and Measures Act No. 5 of 2010, the SLSB is responsible for the enforcement of the metric system of measurement

3.78.  The development of standards is driven by technical committees responsible for specific subjects. These committees include representatives from academia, researchers, conformity assessment bodies, regulators, industry, trade associations, and consumer advocacy groups. They collaborate to develop national standards aligned with market needs. The SLSB serves as the secretariat and project manager for these committees. The authorities note that SLSB has adopted the relevant ISO/IEC Directives for its standardization process

3.79.  At the time of the current Review, the SLSB manages technical committees covering areas such as water quality, photovoltaic/renewable energy, electrical and electronics, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, energy management, information security management systems, and food and agriculture.[63] This represents an expansion in the number of committees and a better specialization compared with the situation at the time of the previous Review, where the SLSB managed only five committees: the National Codex Committee, the Industrial Standards Board, the Metrology Committee, the Food and Agriculture Committee, and the Engineering Technical Committee

3.80.  The standards development process begins by assessing the country's needs and priorities and, through consultations with relevant stakeholders, drafting the SLSB standards work programme. Standards are then developed by the appropriate technical committees and published in the Gazette. These committees often base their work on international standards, including those from regional organizations. In cases where no international standards exist, such as for indigenous products, the SLSB creates its own guidelines. Recent efforts have focused on aligning with regional frameworks like the ECOWAS Quality Policy (ECOQUAL) to harmonize standards across West Africa. As of September 2024, the SLSB has published 349 nationally developed and internationally adapted standards.[64]

3.81.  Once a standard is published in the Gazette, the relevant industry regulator may present it to Parliament for approval to make it mandatory. A 60‑day public comment period is required before the standard can be adopted as a technical regulation. Standards are usually made technical regulations at the request of sectoral ministers. The authorities note that as of January 2025, the technical regulations in force in Sierra Leone include 15 regional harmonized technical regulations (ECOWAS level) and one national technical regulation

3.82.  As at the time of the previous Review, the SLSB has an agreement with ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. Under the agreement, the SLSB has access to ASTM's standards, may participate in its technical committee meetings, and receives technical assistance. The SLSB is a member of the African Organization for Standardisation (ARSO). It is a corresponding member of the ISO. The authorities note that full ISO membership is set to be effective in 2025. The SLSB is an affiliate member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It has adopted standards from the Codex, the IEC, and ISO

3.83.  Only food and petroleum products are subjected to quality testing upon arrival. The authorities note that for other products, the SLSB conducts inspections and collects samples when there are concerns about the product. These samples are then sent for testing at accredited laboratories in the region, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria. Regarding metrology, the calibration range of the SLSB is limited from 0.1µg to 5mg

3.84.  Products marketed must be labelled in English, showing name, weight, manufacture dates, expiration dates, ingredients, and country of origin

3.85.  The Weights and Measures Act, 2010 mandates that sellers of packaged goods, or goods similarly prepared for sale, display both the gross and net weights or measurements on the packaging. Standards are also made by SLBS for packaging and labelling of specific items, including some foodstuffs and textiles