Product-integrity education and industry engagement
Designed as a connected component of the programme pathway, with defined responsibilities, evidence and participant support.
Product-integrity initiative
Product Integrity and Consumer Safety
Promoting responsible production, product quality, traceability, consumer protection and safer African markets.
PICSConnected to the I-FEEDIA framework
01
Programme purpose
Why it exists
Promoting responsible production, product quality, traceability, consumer protection and safer African markets.
A multi-stakeholder initiative strengthening responsible production, quality assurance, traceability, verification, consumer protection and trust in African markets.
PICS brings together manufacturers, regulators, professionals, market actors and consumers around product integrity, quality assurance, verification, responsible commerce and consumer safety.
The programme is coordinated within the wider CIE Africa ecosystem and implemented through appropriately defined chapter, institution and partner roles.
02
Programme components
The capabilities assembled around this programme.
Specific cohorts and country applications may adapt delivery while preserving the programme’s mandate and safeguards.
Quality, traceability and verification pathways
Designed as a connected component of the programme pathway, with defined responsibilities, evidence and participant support.
Consumer information and responsible-market participation
Designed as a connected component of the programme pathway, with defined responsibilities, evidence and participant support.
Regulatory, professional and manufacturer collaboration
Designed as a connected component of the programme pathway, with defined responsibilities, evidence and participant support.
03
Participation pathway
A transparent route from programme fit to measurable outcomes.
Entry does not guarantee funding, employment, investment or commercial partnership; progression depends on evidence, readiness and the opportunity available.
Expression and fit
Participants or partners enter through an application, call, referral or institutional engagement and are assessed against transparent programme criteria.
Assessment and preparation
Needs, capability, risks, rights, responsibilities and readiness are clarified before substantive programme participation begins.
Structured participation
Participants progress through practical activities, expert support, evidence requirements, reviews and agreed milestones relevant to the programme.
Opportunity connection
Where readiness is demonstrated, participants connect with suitable employers, customers, partners, institutions, markets, infrastructure or capital.
Outcomes and follow-through
Results, lessons and continuing needs are documented to support accountability, improvement, alumni engagement and responsible scale.
04
Who participates
Designed for the actors required to make the pathway work.
Participation and partnership roles are assessed according to relevance, capability, integrity and contribution.
01Manufacturers, importers and distributors
Explore the appropriate application, partnership or institutional engagement pathway.
↗02Regulators, standards bodies and professional institutionsExplore the appropriate application, partnership or institutional engagement pathway.
↗03Retailers, marketplaces and verification providersExplore the appropriate application, partnership or institutional engagement pathway.
↗04Consumers and public-interest organisationsExplore the appropriate application, partnership or institutional engagement pathway.
↗05
Intended outcomes
What successful delivery should make possible.
Targets and indicators are defined for each cohort, country application or implementation partnership.
Improved product-quality and integrity practices
Measured through relevant participant, enterprise, employment, institutional, market or community evidence.
Stronger consumer information and market trust
Measured through relevant participant, enterprise, employment, institutional, market or community evidence.
Better coordination across responsible-market actors
Measured through relevant participant, enterprise, employment, institutional, market or community evidence.
Safer and more competitive African markets
Measured through relevant participant, enterprise, employment, institutional, market or community evidence.
Programme safeguards
Clear participation without automatic transfer of rights.
Application, screening, training or general programme support does not by itself create employment, investment, equity, ownership or commercial rights.
Transparent criteria
Selection, progression, support and decisions follow documented programme requirements.
Data and confidentiality
Participant and institutional information is handled for legitimate purposes with appropriate access controls.
Founder and IP protection
Ownership remains with its lawful holder unless a separate transparent agreement provides otherwise.
Partner accountability
Delivery, funding, representation and decision responsibilities are defined and monitored.
Engage with PICS
Apply, partner or contribute relevant capability.
Explore current opportunities or discuss a country, institutional, delivery, knowledge, technology, market or funding partnership.
Explore Opportunities