NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga – The Consumer Protection and Fair-Trade Division under the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development in Tonga, in collaboration with Standards Australia, has launched the Tonga Standardisation Roadmap. This initiative aims to address the absence of a dedicated national standards body in Tonga and improve the quality of locally produced, imported, and local services.

Currently, Tonga lacks a national standard body responsible for developing standards, leading to the adoption rather than the development of standards across sectors. This lack of coordination has resulted in inefficiencies and suboptimal quality of products available for consumption. Consequently, Tonga and other Pacific Island countries risk becoming dumping grounds for substandard products and appliances, while local exporters face technical barriers to trade in overseas markets.

Tonga's Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Dr. Viliami Latu (second from left) holding the Tonga Standardisation Roadmap with Australia's High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Brek Batley (far right) and New Zealand's Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Leitu Sa (far left).

The Tonga Standardisation Roadmap, developed with financial support from the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus, was officially launched in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, on 19 June 2024. The roadmap was created through extensive collaboration between Tonga's Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and Standards Australia, incorporating input from over 80 stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

The launch event was attended by Tonga's Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon. Dr. Viliami Latu; Australia's High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Brek Batley; New Zealand's Deputy High Commissioner to Tonga, H.E. Leitu Sa; Head of PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Mr. Roy Lagolago; and Standards Australia's Chief Development Officer, Mr. Adam Singemore.

Dr. Viliami Latu emphasised the importance of the roadmap, stating, "The roadmap aligns with the rules-based national trading system and Tonga's obligations under the PACER Plus agreement. It also supports the Tonga Trade Policy Framework 2017-2025, which outlines the need to develop Tonga's quality infrastructure to ensure the safety of imports and domestic production, and to facilitate Tongan exports in larger markets."

He added, "By implementing the roadmap, we can expect numerous benefits, including increased innovation, enhanced economic growth, improved consistency in the quality of goods and services, improved safety for consumers and workers, and increased competitiveness for Tongan businesses in the global market."

The roadmap sets a 10-year plan with recommendations for improving Tonga's standardisation ecosystem in alignment with international best practices. These recommendations offer an opportunity to enhance standards functions in Tonga, supporting the private sector, policymakers, and the public.

-ENDS-

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