Liberia

5.3 - Test procedures

Articles	5.3.1 – 5.3.2 – 5.3.3 View measure text
Indicative date of implementation	22 February 2019
Definitive date of implementation	22 February 2025
Extension of implementation dates	Request received 2 December 2024 Original definitive date 22 February 2025 New date requested 22 February 2028 Agreed date Reason Additional time is needed to secure support for development of legal framework and procedures for the personnel of the Test Institutions – Liberia Standards Authority, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority and the National Public Health Institute. Additional time is also needed to secure appropriate facilities and equipment for testing at the borders. Committee approval: Not approved Link to notification G/TFA/N/LBR/1/Add.2
Assistance required for implementation	Legal/Policy Framework • Drafting of legal or formal policy provisions concerning the right to a second test by customs or other relevant border agencies (MOCI, MOH, Quarantine or Fisheries, etc.) as described in the TFA measure. Human Resources/Training • Capacity building training for customs officers on chemical or other products testing. Infrastructure and Equipment • Appropriate facility and equipment for testing. Consultation and Public Awareness • Border agencies and other stakeholder consultation. Tags: Legislative and regulatory framework, Infrastructure and equipment, Human resources and training, Awareness-raising
Donor / Agency	To be determined
Progress reported	31 July 2026 — G/TFA/N/LBR/4/Rev.1 Existing provisions within Customs and practices within MoCI provide traders with the possibility to request a second test. However, SPS and quarantine authorities do not yet have corresponding procedures in place. As a result, the use of confirmatory test results in release and clearance decisions is not applied consistently across all implementing agencies. To date, no dedicated technical assistance programme has been secured specifically for the implementation of Article 5.3. To achieve effective implementation of the article, Liberia requires technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen inter-agency coordination, standardization, and consistency among all border regulatory agencies involved in test procedures. In particular, technical assistance is required to: Develop a multi-agency policy framework governing second-test procedures and the recognition of confirmatory test results. Draft and implement harmonized standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all agencies involved in import control, including Customs, SPS, quarantine, standards, health, and trade authorities. Establish a mechanism for nationwide recognition and acceptance of confirmatory test findings. Develop and publish a comprehensive, publicly accessible directory of authorized laboratories where confirmatory testing can be conducted. Build the capacity of relevant agencies to implement and administer second-test procedures in a transparent and consistent manner. Conduct stakeholder outreach and awareness-raising activities to ensure that traders and other private sector stakeholders are informed of their rights and procedures relating to confirmatory testing. Support the publication and dissemination of the policy framework and SOPs through easily accessible platforms. 22 August 2022 — G/TFA/N/LBR/4 To date, no development partners have proposed assistance for the implementation of this measure.