FCC achieves ISO certification to boost service delivery

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Fair Competition Commission (FCC) has successfully attained ISO certification to enhance its service delivery, particularly for international clients, including investors and largescale businesses.

FCC Director General, Mr William Erio, made the announcement yesterday during a press conference at the opening of a one-day editors’ seminar focused on the commission’s roles and responsibilities.

He said that, since FCC primarily deals with large enterprises and foreign investors, obtaining ISO certification was a strategic priority for the institution.

“Our operations have an international scope, so acquiring ISO certification is a significant milestone for us,” Mr Erio said.

He said that the certification should have been pursued earlier but added that its achievement, though delayed, is still a valuable accomplishment.

“Better late than never,” he remarked. The DG further said that the commission’s core mandate is to protect consumers and ensure fair business competition in Tanzania.

He also underscored FCC’s vital role in promoting investment by creating a business-friendly environment for both local and foreign investors, ensuring they achieve their goals without facing unnecessary obstacles.

“At FCC, we ensure that investors’ expectations are met and that they do not encounter undue bureaucratic hurdles,” Mr Erio affirmed.

In June of last year, FCC launched an initiative aimed at educating traders on how to identify counterfeit products, their harmful effects on consumers, and the broader impact on the national economy.

The initiative, stemming from an FCC assessment, also encouraged traders to report individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit goods, facilitating legal action against them. The fight against counterfeit products remains a key focus for the FCC, as the presence of substandard goods poses a threat to consumer safety and economic growth.

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The seminar brought together 50 editors from various media outlets across Tanzania.

The participants discussed several key topics, including amendments to the Fair Competition Act and the Merchandise Act, which govern FCC operations.

Another key topic on the agenda is the opportunity granted to the FCC by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to integrate with the Tanzania Other Government Agencies (TANOGA) system.

This system provides real-time access to information on imported goods as they enter the country.

“We are grateful to TRA for allowing us access to this system, which gives us timely information on imported goods at the ports,” said Mr Erio.

Mr Erio also urged journalists to collaborate with the FCC by reporting instances of counterfeit goods to help curb their importation and distribution.

He said that, given journalists’ broad access to information channels, their cooperation with the FCC would significantly contribute to preventing the adverse effects of counterfeit products on consumers and Tanzania’s economy