Ethiopia Expands Accredited Food Safety Testing

Local Laboratory Capacity Expands

Ethiopia has gained internationally recognized capacity to test 23 major pesticide residues and three heavy metals, UNIDO reported in an update dated October 7, 2026. The Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise received an expanded accredited scope in early October following an assessment in July.

Potential Benefits for Coffee Exporters

UNIDO supported equipment, staff training, method validation and laboratory quality systems through its Global Market Access Programme. Although the programme focuses on honey and beeswax, the organisation identifies coffee among the agricultural exports that could benefit from stronger domestic testing. Local services could reduce the cost and time associated with sending samples abroad. The announcement does not establish that every coffee test or destination-market requirement falls within the accredited scope.

Buyer Perspective

Our practical suggestion is to confirm the laboratory’s current scope for the intended coffee sample before booking tests. Agree which substances must be measured, the required reporting limits and the documents the buyer will accept. Link the sample identifier to the coffee lot and retain the resulting report with the purchase record. Expanded capacity is useful when the available methods match the transaction’s needs; the accreditation announcement alone cannot establish that a shipment meets its agreed specification.