Editorial: Testing and certification in furniture industry implementation soon

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) announced its decision to implement testing and certification in the furniture industry.

According to the GSA, of the 20 plastic chairs purchased from various companies across the country randomly, none met the standard criteria.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alexander Dodoo, during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) who engaged stakeholders in the wood and furniture industry regarding the testing and certification of wood and furniture products in the country.

The event marked the inaugural public stakeholder engagement on the necessity for furniture certification in Ghana.

Dr. Dodoo observed that although the country has many artisans in the furniture space, they are unable to export their products due to its poor standard on the global market.

Additionally, most people are ignorant about the implications of sub-standard furniture on the body, especially the spine – leading to backaches and other health issues.

Consequently, the GSA-DG emphasised that testing and certification in the sector represents an opportunity for the industry to step up and meet the requirements of standardisation, producing furniture that is fit for purpose.

With the establishment of the wood and furniture testing facility centre at the CSIR-FORIG at Fumesua, all manufactured products will undergo comprehensive testing using the approved scheme, ensuring rigorous assessment of their quality and standards.

Professor Daniel Ofori, Director at FORIG, also noted that the joint effort of the two institutions would contribute to sustaining the forest and reducing waste.

Prof. Dodoo indicated that having 40 percent of the plastic furniture failing eight out of 11 tests is extremely concerning.

He also assured customers that his outfit, together with CSIR-FORIG, is committed to working with the furniture sector to ensure that any furniture products they purchase from the market pass the tests and provide them with the necessary protection.

The wood and furniture testing facility would ensure that products leaving manufacturers and entering the market, including those destined for export, meet standardised testing requirements.

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