Quality concerns in //Karas Region
The business community in the //Karas Region had an opportunity this week to share their frustrations with quality standards in the local manufacturing sector.
Members of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (NCCI’s) //Karas branch held an information-sharing session with representatives of the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) in Keetmanshoop.
Key themes that emerged from the session were the collective call from the concerned businesses to the NSI to be more visible in order to more effectively enforce a culture of high standards among businesses.
In opening the event, Keetmanshoop Mayor Gaudentia Krohne reminded the NSI of its importance in developing and harmonising standards, testing, measurements, product inspection and certification.
She said this role was crucial in limiting the influx of sub-standard goods, counterfeits and contraband which regularly confronts consumers.
“It is therefore my call on NSI to be more visible at all economically active points in collaboration with Customs and Excise offices,” she said.
NSI manager for metrology Victor Mundembe warned that many businesses in Namibia were guilty of ignoring or not fully complying with regulations set out in the Trade Metrology Act, while retailers were guilty of selling products that go against packaging and labelling requirements.
Such requirements include declaring the quantities sold, providing contact details of the manufacturer or packer, and ensuring that product information is labelled in English.
“This ensures protection of the consumer, as well as fair trade,” Mundembe said.
The conference was held in commemoration of World Metrology Day, first celebrated on 20 May 1875.
On that day, 17 countries signed the Metre Convention, which aimed to ensure worldwide uniformity of measurement.
DENVER ISAACS
Members of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (NCCI’s) //Karas branch held an information-sharing session with representatives of the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) in Keetmanshoop.
Key themes that emerged from the session were the collective call from the concerned businesses to the NSI to be more visible in order to more effectively enforce a culture of high standards among businesses.
In opening the event, Keetmanshoop Mayor Gaudentia Krohne reminded the NSI of its importance in developing and harmonising standards, testing, measurements, product inspection and certification.
She said this role was crucial in limiting the influx of sub-standard goods, counterfeits and contraband which regularly confronts consumers.
“It is therefore my call on NSI to be more visible at all economically active points in collaboration with Customs and Excise offices,” she said.
NSI manager for metrology Victor Mundembe warned that many businesses in Namibia were guilty of ignoring or not fully complying with regulations set out in the Trade Metrology Act, while retailers were guilty of selling products that go against packaging and labelling requirements.
Such requirements include declaring the quantities sold, providing contact details of the manufacturer or packer, and ensuring that product information is labelled in English.
“This ensures protection of the consumer, as well as fair trade,” Mundembe said.
The conference was held in commemoration of World Metrology Day, first celebrated on 20 May 1875.
On that day, 17 countries signed the Metre Convention, which aimed to ensure worldwide uniformity of measurement.
DENVER ISAACS
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