Establish regional offices to reduce costs, manufacturers advise TBS

By Felix Andrew

Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)

Local manufacturers have asked the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to set up regional offices so as to reduce the costs incurred by customers in travelling to Dar es Salaam to seek standards services.


This was said at the weekend in the city by manufacturers who received licenses from the bureau. At least a total of 56 manufacturers received licences while two licences were extended and two more producers got tested product certificates.

Speaking on behalf of dellow, Titus Mwasote of Arusha Zamzam Bakery said, at the moment they are compelled to standard services from TBS offices located in Dar es Salaam.

“This is cumbersome and it costs us a lot, we urge the bureau to establish regional offices so as to avail the services near ou businesses,” he said.
Mwasote said once established such offices would entice more people to test their products.

“One of the major reasons which hinder manufacturers in remote area from testing their products is distance,” once TBS offices come closer to them this will not be an objection,” he said.

He urged other manufacturers who have not certified their products to do so immediately in order to make them competitive in foreign market.
“I encourage fellow manufacturers to test their products and obtain the standard mark since more and more customers are becoming aware of the quality,” he added.

For his part, the TBS acting Director General Joseph Masikitiko said in a move to enable the bureau to run its activities smoothly, they intend to open zonal offices in Mwanza and Arusha later on this year.

"We want to serve more people and bring services closer to their working areas in order to do away with the prevailing problems,” he said.

He said the opening of the offices would enable customers who were compelled to travel to Dar es Salaam to be served in their respective areas.
He noted that more border offices would be opened later this year at Tunduma in Mbeya Region, and Kasumulu and Mtukula in Kagera Region.

He further said that Pre- Shipment Verification of Conformity to Standard (Pvoc) Programme is also getting stronger. The programme aims at ensuring that only quality products penetrate into the Tanzanian market.

PVoC programme which became operational two years ago requires importers to have their consignments tested and verified in countries of origin before shipment to Tanzania, thus improving the clearing process and hence facilitating trade.

He called upon the manufacturers to cooperate with it so as to ensure that their products are of good quality and hence protect the local market against intrusion by substandard products, while at the same time facilitating their ventures.

Highlighting the importance of producing quality products the acting Director General, said apart from safeguarding the health and safety of Tanzanians, this will enable manufacturers to easily access local and international markets through use of the standards mark of quality.

“The use of the TBS standards mark of quality increases market access and makes consumers comfortable with the products they are buying,” he said, adding that TBS is a partner in business and not an enemy.

He said the new Standards Act gave the bureau powers to take action against the offenders, including the destruction of products at the manufacturer’s expense and recalling of products from the market. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN