Technical Assistance I
The Government of Indonesia is gearing up to develop a market surveillance system for non-food products called the Indonesia Rapid Exchange of Information System (INRAPEX). The development of INRAPEX, supported by ARISE+ Indonesia, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to consumer protection efforts and increasing the competitiveness of Indonesian products.
The Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Trade Compliance (DG CPTC), the Ministry of Trade, started the preparation last year by organising two workshops to benchmark and develop a model for INRAPEX, with support from ARISE+ Indonesia. The continuous support provided by assisting the Directorate of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution under DG CPTC as the National Contact Point for the INRAPEX in organising three workshop series to address three essential topics for the operation of the INRAPEX system, followed by the development of INRAPEX website.
Delivering the opening address, the Director of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution, Mr Khakim Kudiarto, extended his appreciation to ARISE+ Indonesia for supporting the development of INRAPEX. He encouraged the participants to actively engage in the discussion since the topics would benefit the development of INRAPEX.
"These workshops provide an opportunity for us to gain beneficial insights from the experts, which we can use to inform the development of INRAPEX following adjustment to our culture," Mr Khakim said.
Officials at the directorates under the Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Trade Compliance, including the Directorate of Consumer Empowerment, the Directorate of Standards and Quality Control, the Directorate of Metrology, the Directorate of Trade Compliance, and the Directorate Officers of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution (PPBJ) attended the workshops in person.
The workshops were coordinated by ARISE+ Indonesia Key Expert on Export Quality Infrastructure, Carsten Kudhal, and facilitated by ARISE+ Indonesia's expert on product safety and market surveillance, Torben Rahbek, and assisted by ARISE+ Indonesia EQI Senior Expert, Arief Safari.
The first series of workshops were held on 27-28 September 2022, presenting the European Union Approach to Risk Assessment for Non-Food Products. Following the presentation, Mr Rahbek facilitated the participants to undertake exercises.
The second workshop series, on 30 September 2022, convened the officers of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution responsible for the operation of the National Contact Point (NCP) to discuss and exercise the procedures for the central office in managing the INRAPEX website.
The final workshop series was held on 4-5 October 2022, aiming to study best practices for non-food market surveillance as benchmarking and gathering input for the upcoming INRAPEX system.
One of the participants, Dedy Afandi, the Officer of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution, said the workshop has enriched his knowledge about managing the INRAPEX system, especially the beneficial insights on the quality compliance index to support his working duties performance.
On a similar note, Rio, the Officer of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution, said the workshop was beneficial in informing the current regulatory changes process to improve the regulations on Surveillance for Goods and Services Distribution.
The Directorate of Surveillance of Goods and Services Distribution, in collaboration with ARISE+ Indonesia, develops the INRAPEX website, which is expected to be completed in the next couple of months. The sensitisation and dissemination of the new INRAPEX to the provincial officers will be conducted.
