The Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) has warned business operators and other Rwandans who are still in possession and use the banned substandard weigh scales, saying that tough measure await them if they get caught.

The warning was sounded yesterday by the RBS deputy director in charge of operations, Patrice Ntiyamira, while speaking to The New Times amid reports of retailers who continue to use these scales which do not meet the bureau’s standard specifications.

Ntiyamira said that during their initial campaign, RBS only monitored only two stations namely; Gikondo warehouses and the Kigali International Airport which proved to be less fruitful as the sub standard scales could continue entering the country.

According to the deputy director, this required more effective alternatives to curb the importation of the scales into the country.

"We later expanded our operations and we are now monitoring the smuggling in of these products at six border posts and this has been very effective although we cannot say that we have won the battle,” said Ntiyamira.

He pointed out that since their border operations began; many sub-standard weighing scales had been impounded and sent back to their countries of origin which are mostly Uganda and Tanzania.

He further insisted that, despite the sensitization campaigns carried out in all provinces, there were some people still in possession of sub-standard weigh scales in several shops and markets, some of which tend to be hidden whenever RBS officials approach.

"The danger is that a customer is given less than what he or she has paid for and this is unacceptable. A seller should always bear in mind that he or she could be the next victim because at one point they will be customers and will be cheated,” he warned.

Ntiyamira highlighted that not all spring operated weigh scales are illegal ,as many people tend to generalize, but there were some which were not up to the standards set by RBS.

He urged all traders still in possession of such scales to surrender them to RBS or call its toll free MTN number 3250 because the campaign aims at controlling standards for trade and consumer protection.

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