THE Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and the Ministry of Energy have trained manufacturers, importers and distributors on new energy-efficiency standards, a move expected to reshape the market for electric cooking appliances and other energy-consuming products.

The training was officially opened on Tuesday by TBS Director of Standards Development Dr Candida Shirima, on behalf of TBS Director General Dr Ashura Katunzi.

Dr Shirima said the standards set minimum energy-efficiency requirements that electricity-consuming appliances must meet, helping address excessive and inefficient electricity consumption.

She said energy-efficiency standards were an important tool in implementing the National Development Vision 2025, which seeks to build a strong, competitive and sustainable economy while ensuring energy generated is used efficiently.

The standards are also part of the Government’s strategy to promote efficient energy use, protect the environment and support sustainable development and public welfare.

“The Government is implementing the National Clean Cooking Strategy, which, among other things, calls for the development and implementation of energy-efficiency standards for energy-consuming products,” she said.

She added that the strategy also seeks to strengthen laboratory capacity to test energy-consuming appliances and verify their efficiency.

Dr Shirima said TBS had a key role in implementing the strategy and had been working with various stakeholders to develop the standards while strengthening laboratory capacity to test energy-consuming appliances and determine whether they meet prescribed requirements.

She said the training was designed to enhance the understanding of manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, as well as stakeholders responsible for implementing and enforcing the standards.

“These trainings are important because they enable us to understand the efficiency standards and what needs to be done to ensure they are effectively implemented,” she said.

Dr Shirima said the training also aimed to build understanding of energy-efficiency labelling for household electric cooking appliances.

She said the training came as the Government continued to prioritise efficient energy use as part of efforts to link economic development with lower energy costs, environmental protection, improved energy access and climate-change mitigation.

She thanked the Ministry of Energy for its close cooperation with TBS in developing the standards, as well as development partners supporting their implementation.

Dr Shirima stressed that TBS has a fundamental role in developing national standards and overseeing their implementation, urging training participants to apply the knowledge gained and actively support the implementation of energy-efficiency standards.

She said the initiative supported Government efforts under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to promote the practical adoption of clean cooking energy.