3 Consumer Standards for The Government of Sierra Leone will use Protection household PV International Electrotechnical Commission and Quality products are not (IEC) global quality standards (which Assurance well clarified and incorporate Lighting Africa/Lighting Global guidelines on how standards) as the basis for duty-free/tax-free they should be status. The Sierra Leone Bureau of Standards interpreted are will officially adopt these standards. absent. The quality reputation of solar The Ministry of Energy will work with the newly is mixed. The influx formed Renewable Energy Association of of low quality Sierra Leone (REASL) as the representative of products and the private sector to: counterfeits is putting consumer Establish a list of products, equipment and protection and appliances that meet IEC global quality sustainable market standards, including simplified registration and development at risk. reporting procedures for companies to receive tax-free status. Determine what additional steps can be taken to further reduce low quality imports and reduce or eliminate counterfeit products from being imported. Determine what else REASL can do to support quality and distinguish their members from low quality products and counterfeits. This could include REASL adopting additional membership requirements, such as distributing and promoting only products that meet IEC standards, adopting minimum warranty periods and consumer-friendly warranty policies (free repair or replacement). 4 Consumer Awareness for solar MoE and will work with relevant partners Awareness products and home to develop a consumer education and systems is low. awareness campaign to help develop the Quality perception household solar category as a superior, is mixed. Retailers affordable alternative. and consumers have no way to This will be coordinated with and ultimately judge quality or part of a plan for Coordinated Support to the differentiate high Market as outlined below. quality products from low quality products. Coordinated Support The support which is necessary to accelerate the household solar market in Sierra Leone is in two halves, the support needed to implement the policy actions, as well as the support which the market players need in order to expand their activities and reach more consumers. Listed
3 Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance Standards for household PV products are not well clarified and guidelines on how they should be interpreted are absent. The quality reputation of solar is mixed. The influx of low quality products and counterfeits is putting consumer protection and sustainable market development at risk. The Government of Sierra Leone will use International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) global quality standards (which incorporate Lighting Africa/Lighting Global standards) as the basis for duty-free/tax-free status. The Sierra Leone Bureau of Standards will officially adopt these standards. The Ministry of Energy will work with the newly formed Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL) as the representative of the private sector to: Establish a list of products, equipment and appliances that meet IEC global quality standards, including simplified registration and reporting procedures for companies to receive tax-free status. Determine what additional steps can be taken to further reduce low quality imports and reduce or eliminate counterfeit products from being imported. Determine what else REASL can do to support quality and distinguish their members from low quality products and counterfeits. This could include REASL adopting additional membership requirements, such as distributing and promoting only products that meet IEC standards, adopting minimum warranty periods and consumer-friendly warranty policies (free repair or replacement). 4 Consumer Awareness Awareness for solar products and home systems is low. Quality perception is mixed. Retailers and consumers have no way to judge quality or differentiate high quality products from low quality products. MoE and will work with relevant partners to develop a consumer education and awareness campaign to help develop the household solar category as a superior, affordable alternative. This will be coordinated with and ultimately part of a plan for Coordinated Support to the Market as outlined below. Coordinated Support The support which is necessary to accelerate the household solar market in Sierra Leone is in two halves, the support needed to implement the policy actions, as well as the support which the market players need in order to expand their activities and reach more consumers. Listed
Sierral%20Leone%20Policy%20Compact%20-%20Energy%20Africa%20-%20Final.docx