The Algerian government has taken a significant step towards enhancing the control of imported goods and protecting consumers with the inauguration of two quality control laboratories at Algiers port and airport. The laboratories were inaugurated by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb on November 7, 2026, in the presence of several government ministers. These structures are part of a broader effort to implement the directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who had instructed the creation of control laboratories at all ports and airports in the country.
The two laboratories, which are part of the Algerian Center for Quality Control and Packaging (CACQE), will be responsible for verifying the conformity of imported products with legal and regulatory norms. They will conduct analyses and examinations of various products, including food and non-food items, to ensure they meet the required standards. The laboratories are equipped with modern analysis equipment, including near-infrared spectroscopy, and have a capacity to process over 190 analyses per day.
The laboratories will play a crucial role in preventing the commercialization of products that may pose risks to consumer health and safety. They will also help to combat fraud and counterfeiting by detecting contaminants, residues of pesticides, and toxins. The prime minister emphasized that the laboratories will provide an additional layer of protection for the national economy and consumer health. He also highlighted the importance of vigilance and rigor in controlling imported products.
The control device consists of two levels of intervention. The first level involves rapid analyses conducted directly at the borders, which can provide results within minutes or hours. The second level involves confirmation analyses conducted in national laboratories. The examinations will cover various categories of products, including food items such as oils, spices, and meat, as well as non-food items like cosmetics and textiles.
The realization of the two laboratories was carried out by the Central Construction Establishment (ECC), under the Ministry of National Defense (MDN). These infrastructures constitute a first step in the establishment of a national network of quality control laboratories at borders. The project aims to extend the control capacities of imported goods to all major entry points in the country.
The government plans to generalize the device progressively in several cities, including Oran, Béjaïa, Skikda, Annaba, Mostaganem, Jijel, and Tlemcen. The network is expected to comprise laboratories located in ports, airports, and land border posts, which will enable the reinforcement of controls from the moment goods arrive and limit the risks of fraud.
The quality control laboratories are a significant step towards protecting consumers and the national economy. The government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of imported goods, and the laboratories will play a critical role in achieving this goal. The prime minister's visit to the laboratories highlighted the importance of these structures in promoting economic growth and consumer protection.
Key points
- The laboratories will conduct analyses and examinations of various products to ensure they meet the required standards.
- The government plans to generalize the device progressively in several cities across the country.
- The laboratories will play a crucial role in preventing the commercialization of products that may pose risks to consumer health and safety.
