Madagascar Country Commercial Guide
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The Bureau des Normes (BNM) represents Madagascar in regional and international standards organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Cycle Engineers’ Institute (CEI), the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), and the Codex Alimentarius.  When developing standards, BNM follows international norms, mainly those established by ISO. BNM works closely with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Consumption and develops dedicated national standards for some key agricultural exports, such as vanilla, cloves, and litchis. PRONABIO (natural and organic products), a local organization, has developed its own standards, called NATIORA to certify its natural goods such as vegetables, spices, and essential oils.

The BNM and the following testing laboratories ensure compliance in Madagascar:

  • National Laboratory of Public Works and Building (Laboratoire National des Travaux Publics et du Bâtiment, LNTPB): certification of construction materials (cement, iron, etc.); study of road materials; study of soil in view of construction stability assessment; control of construction; description of maintenance works; training of engineers.
     
  • Antananarivo Laboratory of Chemistry and Microbiology (Laboratoire de Chimie et de Microbiologie d’Antananarivo, LCMA): quality control of food and agricultural goods, classification, and compliance.  The LCMA uses AFNOR, ISO, and Codex Alimentarius standards.
     
  • Chemistry Laboratory of Tamatave (Laboratoire de Chimie de Tamatave, LCT): quality control of agricultural goods such as coffee, vanilla, cloves, litchis, pepper, and essential oils; classification and compliance.  The LCT uses AFNOR and ISO standards.
     
  • Laboratory of Legal Metrology (Laboratoire de Métrologie Légale, LML): control and standardization of measuring equipment in the commercial and industrial sector. LML reports to the Ministry of Commerce.
     
  • Laboratory of the National Center of Research for the Environment (CNRE): analysis of environmental samples; monitoring impacts of industrial activities on the environment; scientific support to the industrial sector; control and analysis of the nutritional and food sector; scientific support to the private sector in product quality (shrimp, lobster, agricultural goods, etc.).
     
  • Laboratory of Biochemical Nutrition for the Department of Zootechnics and Veterinary Research (LBN): chemical and microbiological analysis of raw materials for animal food.
     
  • Laboratory of the National Center of Industrial and Technological Research (CNRIT): regulates compliance in the following sectors: water, various chemical products, construction materials, civil engineering, and electronics. It also provides technical support to companies.
     
  • Laboratory for the Control of Pesticides (LCP): control of agro-pharmaceutical products and pesticides (local or imported).
     
  • Laboratory of Microbiology, Water, and Consumables: bacteriological analysis of food, water, and medicines.
     
  • National Laboratory of the Ministry of Mines (LNM): certification of jewelry and precious stones for export; LNM is under the Ministry of Mines.
     
  • National Laboratory of Research in Telecommunications (LNRT): verification, inspection, and certification of telecommunications equipment.
     
  • National Institute and Laboratory of Nuclear Sciences and Technology (INSTN): standardization of ionizing radiation detection apparatus; control of radioactivity rates and metallic presence in food; analysis of geological samples; detection of heavy metal; control of heavy metal in seafood and meat; and quantitative/qualitative analysis of atomic elements in powder, solid, and liquid samples.
     
  • Technical regulations and standards developed by the different laboratories are published in the National Gazette of the Republic of Madagascar. If required by law, foreign entities can approach the different laboratories or related departments to comment on final regulations.

Accreditation body and contact information:
Bureau des Normes de Madagascar (BNM)
P.O. Box 1316,
06 bis, rue Rainandriamampandry, Soarano, Zip 101, Madagascar
Tel: +261 20 22 279 70
E-mail: bnm@mcc.gov.mg; bnm@bnm.mg
Website: https://www.bnm.mg