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The SADCAS operational model, which is the first multi-economy accreditation
body in the world, has proven to be a viable, cost-effective and sustainable model that op-
timises the utilisation of limited financial and human resources. A number of other regions
of the world such as the Gulf region, Economic Community of West African States (ECO-
WAS), and the Caribbean Islands have benchmarked on the SADCAS model, which was
conceptualised by a group of SADC experts as far back as 2005.
The success of SADCAS, which is in its 12th year of operation, can be measured in
terms of the number of internationally recognised accreditation schemes it offers (seven);
the number of successful accreditations it has performed (168); the number of qualified
accreditation assessors it has registered (40); the number of training courses (189) and the
number of qualified SADCAS trainers (24); and the number of Member States it has ser-
viced (15 including 2 non-SADC States).
On average it takes one year to service an accreditation application and, as of the
second quarter of 2020, SADCAS had 41 applications received from 10 SADC Member
States, which is evidence of the demand for the service and the need to sustain the organ-
isation. The eighth accreditation scheme currently under development at SADCAS is the
Management Systems Certification Bodies accreditation scheme whose inception began
in November 2019.
All the accreditation schemes offered by SADCAS lend international recognition to
certificates issued by SADCAS-accredited calibration/testing/veterinary/verification/
medical laboratories, and certification and inspection bodies. This international recognition
has a scope of 103 countries worldwide thus removing the need for repetitive conformity
106 assessment in all these economies from which SADC commodities might want market ac-
cess. This is indeed a wide range of markets.
In addition to increasing business efficiencies and competitiveness of products, and
enhancing market access, at a macro level this accreditation helps by reducing the regula-
tory burden upon commercial organisations. Accreditation is the one tell-all evidence of
the competence and reliability of a commercial entity to confirm compliance to regulatory
requirements.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
The SADC Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regime is overseen by the SADC SPS Co-
ordinating Committee which was established by Article 14 of the SPS Annex to the SADC
Protocol on Trade. Well represented in the Committee are all the relevant professionals
from each Member State for the so-called “three sisters” -- Animal Health, Food Safety
and Plant Protection. Each of these areas has identifies concerns that hamper the region
with regard to animal and plant pests and diseases, and potential food safety threats.
Regional guidelines have been developed in order to harmonise Member States’ ap-
proaches to matters that contribute to the agricultural production sectors and on issues
that threaten food security and food export potential. Of high importance to regional col-
laboration on SPS matters is the existence of well-resourced national SPS committees from
which emanate contributions to the regional agenda. As the region moves towards a more
industrialised future, TBT and SPS matters will be prioritised in order to secure market
access to the SADC-produced commodities.

Finance and Investment
Major achievements are the adoption of the SADC Protocol on Finance and
Investment, the implementation of a successful Regional Payment System,
and other milestones shown below.