Beginning last year, the Rwanda Bureau of Standards launched a crackdown against commercial businesses with wrong weights and measurements.

Initially consumers had bombarded the standards body with continuous complaints in relation to unfair traders with a knack for tipping the scales in their own favour, against the consumer.

Such factors are stumbling blocks to Rwanda’s business growth simply because they have the potential of scaring off investors despite our favourable investment climate.

In a bid to emphasise quality assurance and work in line with the international standardisation system the Bureau’s efforts to promote accurate measures has already borne fruit.

Having successfully verified all fuel dispensers in the country, we are optimistic that sooner than later, the issue of inaccurate weighing scales will be an issue of the past.

Now that Rwanda has actually spread her wings into a wider market – the East African Community – then such policies come in handy.

Consumers from far and wide will feel comfortable doing business in our country, and the more we receive, the more business is bound to grow even faster. They will have the confidence in our measuring system.

It is high time traders purchased accurate scales that will pass metrology tests because the message is loud and clear; no one will be able to carryout trade with an adjustable, easily manipulated scale.

Accurate measures and weights also simplify trade and encourage investment as people prefer to invest in an honest economy. They also ensure that when someone buys an item, the correct price is charged for a correct quantity.

We commend RBS’s good work because in a period of only six years, the bureau has managed to develop standards, quality assurance and metrology in the country.

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