Following complaints from the private sector regarding the implementation of the Conformity Assessment Program (PAC), the government has recommended that some aspects of the process be reviewed, mainly with regard to the list of products to be submitted for assessment and the costs inherent in the process.

The Private Sector says that the cost of 250 dollars, being per consignment, would be very onerous for industries when importing raw materials, thus penalizing the importing productive sector. The CTA has therefore proposed reducing the fee by 40%.

At the meeting between the CTA and the Minister of Industry and Trade, which was described as productive, Silvino Moreno recommended that the implementation of the Decree be postponed to make way for the process of reviewing the aspects considered to be obstacles to foreign trade. It was agreed that the technical teams, from INNOQ and CTA, will work on a consensual list of the products most prone to counterfeiting which, in a first phase, will be covered by the evaluation process. The list should be presented within 15 days for approval.

The Minister of Industry and Trade, Silvino Moreno, said that the PAC seems like a barrier, but it is an important instrument for checking the quality of products, for the protection of consumers and the market, as well as for the protection of the national industry. However, we need to find ways to make this program viable in the best way possible.

As such, he argued that the PAC Decree could only come into force once the grey areas had been clarified in order to guarantee harmonious implementation for the good of the country's business environment. In this list, finished products should be distinguished from raw materials.

The Minister assured that the Service Order from the Director General of Customs, informing about the start of the implementation of the process, could only be issued once the instrument had been harmonized with the interested parties.