The Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) has started harmonising its standard measures with those of other East African Community (EAC) partner states. The Director General of RBS, Anastase Kimonyo said the body is undergoing policy reforms to comply with the regional standardisation Act. Kimonyo also doubles as the chairperson of the East African Standards Committee (EASC). He said the move to harmonise standards followed a recent meeting where some indifference in policies across all the five national bureau of standards were examined. All the regional bodies have to comply with the 2006 EAC Standardisation, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing (SQMT) Act. The Act aims at checking non tariff barriers (NTBs) related to standards, sub-standard goods and enhances regional trade with the application of the existing 1,100 East African harmonised standards in industry and agriculture sectors. The EAC believes that once synchronised, the Act will translate into increased opportunities for EAC member states’ companies in international technology and encourage regional and international trade. Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have already harmonised their standards, paving way for manufacturers to affix the EAC basic standardisation mark of quality stickers on their products. Kimonyo was optimistic that the harmonising of regional standards will foster a vibrant intra EAC trade. “A Rwandan product certified by RBS will be recognised as of quality in another EAC state since we all have the same standards.” The Director General of Sulfo, H. Dhamarajan said that having the same standards with the other regional countries is not only a requirement but also a platform to compete favourably. “There will be equal quality standards for all.” Rwanda officially launched its product quality mark early this year for quality and safety assurance on the international market. Only two products have the mark but since the launch, interests from industrialists is said to be growing. Ends
