Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)

A total of 115 entrepreneurs in Lindi Region have been trained on the importance of product certification and how to get quality mark issued by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).

The entrepreneurs received the training from TBS officials at the just-ended 31st Farmers’ exhibition, at Ngongo grounds on the outskirts of Lindi Municipality.

TBS Quality Assurance officer, Barnabas Mgaya told reporters here that the Bureau offered free education to entrepreneurs on the importance of certifying their products, as all costs are covered by the government

He stated that the sixth-phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan recognizes the contribution of entrepreneurs to the country’s economic growth, which is why it funds all the costs associated with product certification.

According to Mgaya, entrepreneurs need to visit TBS with a letter of identification from the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO), and the process of certifying their products will commence immediately.

“So we believe that the entrepreneurs who received this education at the exhibition will become ambassadors to their peers and have promised to start the certification process for their products immediately,” Mgaya said.

Eng. Saidi Mkwawa, TBS Southern Zone Manager unveiled the benefits of having the TBS quality mark, including enabling producers to enter the market confidently, as their products can compete with other products and withstand market competition.

He said that the TBS quality mark assures consumers both domestically and internationally that the products are safe for their health.

Eng. Mkwawa also said that besides market acceptance, entrepreneurs will be assured of selling their products abroad without restrictions.

According to Eng. Mkwawa, once a product is certified by TBS, it is allowed to enter and be sold in all East African Community (EAC) countries without needing to be re-tested for quality.

He said that EAC member countries have agreed that once products are tested and certified for quality by the relevant national standards organization, they are permitted to enter any country without needing to be tested again.

“Through the education we provided to entrepreneurs, we have informed them about the opportunities that will enable them to reach larger markets,” Eng. Mkwawa said.

He noted that the world today is like a village, so entrepreneurs should not limit their production to the Tanzanian market alone.

He pointed out that there is currently a strong consumer preference for TBS certified products, so when producing, entrepreneurs should be aware that their products will compete with others from EAC, SADC countries, and globally.

“Without certifying their products, they will fall behind, which is why the government is investing heavily in certifying their products for free, as it does not want its citizens to be mere participants in a competitive market,” he said.

He further mentioned that visitors to the exhibition received education on how to identify products that have expired, urging the public to cultivate the habit of reading information on packaging to identify expired products and to check if they carry the TBS quality mark.