Strengthening the Compliance of the OIC Member States
to International Standards
98
sorting, grading, and packing facilities that meet international food safety and quality criteria (USAID,
2015).
In addition to human safety and traceability issues limiting access of Egyptian processed food to EU
market, other obstacles facing food exporters more generally are related to conformity assessment and
certification. There is no Food Safety Authority in Egypt. Regulations, inspections, and laboratory testing
are currently conducted by a number of different agencies under several different ministries in Egypt. As
a result, food safety enforcement is inefficient and haphazard (USAID, 2011). The Chamber for Food
Industries has been therefore pushing the government and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to
establish an Egyptian Food Safety Authority as the sole authority responsible for testing, conformity
assessment and certification of food products exports, in addition to the issuing of a Unified Food Law.
Action on this issue has been pending since 2011. Another recommendation highlighted by top firms in
the food industry is the effective harmonization of Egyptian food standards with international standards
to avoid duplication of investments by market, in line with transforming Egyptian mandatory standards
not included in international systems into rather voluntary or guiding standards. Establishing a new
organization that pulls functions from other ministries will encounter a number of obstacles related to
bureaucracy. The advantages of having a unified Food Safety Authority are- however- significant, and is
expected to play an important role in enhancing compliance of food exports with international
standards.
Apart from barriers related to lack of compliance, a number of procedural obstacles are also
encountered by exporters at home and at the border in export markets, particularly in intra-Arab trade
of food (fresh produce and processed). According to a recent survey by the International Trade Centre
(ITC, 2015), home-based procedural obstacles include delays during pre-shipment inspections carried
out by the Customs Authority and other export and import control public institutions, lack of cooling and
storage facilities and administrative burdens (such as a large number of documents). In the partner
country, bureaucratic procedures including delays associated with red tape have been reported.
Machinery and electric appliances
Exporting companies in this sector cite strict environmental standards and product safety measures.
The survey carried out by ITC in Egyptian and other Arab markets generally points to the lack of
understanding and complying with product quality requirements (ITC, 2015). Ongoing preparations of
the ACCA between Egypt and the EU are therefore expected to enhance compliance with EU standards
and boost Egyptian exports in this sector. The choice of products under machinery and electric
appliances to be covered by the ACCA seems confusing. These products do not represent an important
share in Egypt exports in general, and to the EU in particular. The choice of these products is – however-