The fight against products that don’t meet quality standards is everyone’s responsibility. Besides protecting firms and traders from unfair competition, it safeguards public health and prevents economic haemorrhage through job loss as genuine dealers are pushed out of the market.

The stance taken by Rwanda Standards Board against dairy firms that were closed down over lack of necessary quality requirements is in the interest of protecting consumers. The standards body should not consider the pleas of firms to be allowed to reopen before meeting the required standards. The firms were directed to stop operations about three months ago, but have lately been pleading to be allowed to resume operations as they try to fix the gaps.

As the standards watchdog noted, Rwanda should not relent in its efforts to ensure food safety and fair competition by removing all uncertified products from the market. This bold stand needs support from all stakeholders and ordinary Rwandans, particularly by reporting any products, locally-made and imported, that do not bear the "S” mark of quality. This way, we shall safeguard our market and protect the public from unsafe products, especially foods and beverages. That’s why it is important that RSB expands the crackdown to other sectors to ensure all the products on the market pass the quality test.

The standards body, however, should sensitise the public and the business community on the importance of product certification and the "S” mark of quality. Most Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) say the process is also long and very expensive. Therefore, RSB should find ways to address this challenge to encourage more companies to embrace the product certification process.

In line with making local products competitive under the Made-in-Rwanda drive, standards should not be compromised at any level and for whatever reason.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw