Case Study

Accreditation supports and improves sustainable economic growth in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Summary

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. The location of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has provided it with an advantage and ease in the transport and movement of goods between neighbouring countries.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the foundation of economic and social development in the Kingdom. They are essential to productive capacity and national economies, with a significant ability to help address the issues of poverty and unemployment. Furthermore, SMEs promote fair income distribution, foster the development of local communities in underserved areas, and contribute in various other impactful ways. SMEs constitute approximately 99.5% of the total economic establishments operating in the Kingdom and employ approximately 60% of the total workforce.

Background

With the confidence of the Jordan Accreditation and Standardization System – Accreditation Unit (JAS-AU) in the capability of these SMEs to be true drivers of economic growth, and the need to enhance their role in contributing to national exports, JAS-AU has accredited several conformity assessment bodies (CABs) providing conformity assessment services to SMEs and accredited a number of CABs being part of SMEs in the industrial sector. Accrediting conformity assessment bodies helped resolve many challenges, increasing opportunities for SMEs to access foreign markets, expand their sales and consequently boost economic growth, expansion, and adoption of modern manufacturing and production techniques.

Strategy

According to Jordan’s Second Voluntary National Review (VNR), which measures the country’s progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the indicator associated with SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) recorded the least progress. That’s because Jordan’s economic trajectory continues to experience the “spillover effect” of regional conflicts and turbulence that is occurring and has occurred over the past decade. This has led to refugee inflows that have increased pressure on our infrastructure and services. Additionally, the supply chain disruptions and an increase in the price of oil and basic commodities have further burdened our small economy. These factors have potentially undermined prospects for recovery. However, the most advantageous way to overcome all these challenges is to keep up with the external market in terms of product or service quality. The best choice for a company is to seek conformity assessment from a body accredited by an internationally recognized accreditation body. This increases trust in a company’s services and products and provides clear evidence of their compliance with requirements. This has enabled companies with accredited conformity assessment to reach local, regional, and global markets, thereby increasing their revenues and improving the quality of their products and services. There are a number of these companies, and you can refer to the JAS-AU website to check their names and contact details.

Results and impact

SMEs have had significant opportunities to contribute to exports. Many of them have been contracted by international organisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, to ensure the safety and compliance of products with international standards before being sent to our neighbouring disaster-stricken countries and conflict zones in the Middle East. These efforts aim to prevent the spread of famine and epidemics. Additionally, numerous new markets have been opened for Jordanian producers, including exports to European countries.

Contact

Jordanian Accreditation and Standardization System-Accreditation Unit (JAS-AU)