Test House
TBS Test House was established in 1982 in order to:
a) Assist manufacturers to improve the quality of their products;
b) Provide facilities for the testing of products to ensure their suitability for their intended use; and
c) Verify pre-export and pre-import product quality.
The TBS Test House also provides quick, accurate and confidential test facilities for type testing, audit testing, technical guidance and advice on test methods and training of laboratory personnel
1. Chemistry Laboratory
Chemistry Laboratory provides the following services:
a) Testing of all chemicals, allied products and environmental samples;
b) Training in product testing related to chemicals and Laboratory Quality Management Systems;
c) Collaborative environmental research work;
d) Consultancy to industrialists;
e) Coordination for Tanzania Proficiency Testing Scheme (TPTS);
f) Provision of Edible Salt Proficiency Testing at National and EAC level;
g) Provision of Drinking Water Proficiency Testing Scheme at National level;
h) Coordination of SADC Proficiency Testing Scheme; and
i) Air quality monitoring.
2. Food Chemistry Laboratory
The Food Chemistry Laboratory provides the following services:
a) Test facilities for all food and agricultural commodities;
b) Chemical analysis of food including proximate composition such as moisture content, oil content, protein, mineral ash and acid insoluble ash and mineral contaminants;
c) Checks to ensure that food products are manufactured with due regard to good manufacturing practices; and
d) National technical assistance and consultation with regard to ISO 17025 implementation on the testing laboratories and method validation and uncertainty of measurements.
3. Microbiology Laboratory
This laboratory carries out analysis of hygiene indicator microorganisms and spoilage microorganisms such as total plate count, enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, yeast and moulds.
4. Textile and Leather Laboratory
The Textile and Leather Laboratory provides the following services:
a) Provides test facilities for both textiles, leather and cotton industries;
b) Trains textiles, leather and cotton analysts in good laboratory techniques;
c) Conducts training for laboratories and stakeholders in the region; and
f) Collects and disseminates technical information.
5. Packaging Technology Centre
The Government of Tanzania established the Packaging Technology Centre (PTC) at Tanzania Bureau of Standards in its efforts to support a coordinated development of the packaging industry by strengthening the existing standardization and testing capability in the area of packaging.
The packaging services provided by the Packaging Technology Centre include:
a) Testing packages and packaging materials to ensure quality;
b) Providing training to the industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on matters concerning quality packaging designs;
c) Conducting research and consultancy work on issues pertaining to quality packaging;
d) Providing third party certification for packaging materials and packages produced according to acceptable standards;
e) Providing testing services for packages and packaging materials;
g) Facilitations of import and export of the packaging materials against relevant standards; and
h) Providing information on packaging standards, requirements and technology.
6. Building and Construction Laboratory
a) Designed for the testing of building materials as well as building components for properties such as strength and deformation properties, tightness, composition and dimensional changes; and
b) Performs field investigations for various load tests and drilling of concrete cores from completed constructions for testing of strength.
7. Mechanical Engineering Laboratory
a) Equipped with facilities for testing metallic materials with a wide range of tests being carried out to determine different properties of metals; and
b) Offers consultancy services such as suitability for use of products needing general mechanical tests using local, national and international standards.
8. Electrical Engineering Laboratory
a) Designed for testing households and similar electrical appliances as well as electrical materials and accessories; and
b) Equipped with a modern multiple Earth Loop impedance’s prospective short circuit currents and for earth leakage circuit currents and for earth leakage circuit breaker testing in buildings.
