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18th
August
2008
TBS plans pre-shipment verification
system
The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)
plans to introduce a system whereby
products will be verified in countries
of origin before they are imported.
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A cross section of
stakeholders during the presentation of the plan
by TBS to introduce Pre-Shipment Verification of
Conformity to Standards (PVoC) programme, at the
Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel in Dar es Salaam, on
August 08, 2008. |
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting
held in Dar es Salaam recently, TBS
Director Mr. Charles Ekelege said the
system, known as Pre-Shipment
Verification of Conformity to Standards
(PVoC), will start as soon as
arrangements are completed and
pre-operational activities are carried
out.
According to Mr. Ekelege, since 1999
Tanzania has been verifying goods
through a system called Destination
Inspection (DI) but it has proved
difficult to detect substandard imports
due to various entry points including
unofficial ones.
Other difficulties with DI system are
inadequate consignment storage
facilities at Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)
premises, the need for thorough
verification on some unfeasible products
and conformity verification delays.
“With PVoC system, goods verification
will comply with relevant standards
before shipment to protect public health
and ensure consumer safety and
environment protection,” said Mr.
Ekelege.
Earlier in her opening speech, the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Industry, Trade and Marketing, Dr.
Stergomena L. Tax said despite efforts
by TBS to fight importation of
substandard goods in the country,
various problems are still being
encountered.
She said since adopting a free market
economy, assurance of safety and
standards of imported goods has remained
a major challenge to the country and
agencies responsible with regulations of
imported goods.
The stakeholders included
representatives from various business
entities, consumers, the Confederation
of Tanzania Industries (CTI) and TBS
staff.
Others were from the Uganda National
Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and Kenya
Bureau of Standards (KEBS) who were
invited to share their countries’
experiences on the system.
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