The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has urged businesses in the Ashanti Region to regularise their product certification and standards compliance ahead of the Christmas and end-of-year trading season.
The GSA Kumasi Office said it would step up compliance monitoring, market surveillance and enforcement activities as commercial activity increases during the festive period.
The move is aimed at ensuring that products sold to consumers meet applicable safety and quality standards while protecting the public from substandard goods.
In a statement, the Authority commended companies that had completed its Product Certification Process and obtained the required certification for their products.
According to the GSA, the companies had demonstrated commitment to quality, consumer protection and compliance with Ghana Standards.
It also urged businesses that had recently received penalty letters to engage the GSA Kumasi Office before the deadlines stated in their notices.
The Authority said it had so far refrained from publicly identifying the affected companies because its immediate priority was to support businesses to regularise their operations and comply with the required certification processes.
It warned, however, that companies that failed to respond within the stipulated periods could face further regulatory action, including possible public disclosure of their names.
The GSA further encouraged food and non-food businesses that had not regularised their certification status to contact its Kumasi Office for guidance and assistance.
It advised businesses to begin the certification process early rather than wait until enforcement activities are intensified.
The Authority explained that product certification provides independent assurance that a product meets the applicable requirements for safety and quality.
It also encouraged consumers to choose certified products and said the Kumasi Office would in the coming months use its social media platforms to publish lists of certified products.
Certified products and companies would also be featured in subsequent GSA press releases, it added.
The GSA Kumasi Office reaffirmed its commitment to working with businesses and other stakeholders to promote quality, facilitate fair trade, protect consumers and create an environment that supports sustainable business growth.
