African Regional Organization for Standardization
ARSO (French: Organisation Râgionale Africaine de Normalisation, ORAN)
promotes and coordinates standardization, quality control, certification,
and metrology practices in Africa. The Organization has been developing
African Regional Standards (ARS) in nine areas: (a) general standards, (b)
agricultural and food products, (c) building and civil engineering, (d)
mechanical engineering and metallurgy, (e) chemistry and chemical
engineering, (f) electrotechnology, (g) textiles, (h) transport and
communications, and (i) environmental products and pollution control. ARSO
is also seeking adoption of a regional certification marking scheme and
establisment of a laboratory accreditation program. ARSO was established
in 1977; its headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya. ARSO membership is
restricted to official representatives of member governments.