Govt moves to mandatory barcode registration
THE government is taking a strategic step to boost its manufacturing sector and export potential by mandating barcode registration for all locally produced goods.
Minister for Industry and Trade Dr Selemani Jafo said the move aims to improve product traceability, quality control and data transparency key factors in enhancing both domestic market regulation and international market access.
The minister, thus, instructed the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) to enforce the measure, underscoring its role in fostering economic growth and competitiveness.
“This collaboration will equip local entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed globally, positioning the country’s goods for broader recognition,” he said.
As of February 2023, more than 30,000 products had been registered with barcodes under the GS1 Tanzania system, which uses the country code “620” to facilitate product identification and export readiness.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TBS, BRELA and GS1 Tanzania, Dr Jafo said the initiative would allow the government to better monitor production capacity and generate reliable data for planning.
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GS1 Tanzania CEO Fatuma Kange said the partnership would simplify registration for SMEs, helping them scale operations. She said that expanding barcode registration would increase the number of taxpaying businesses, thus strengthening the economy through improved product visibility and branding.
BRELA Director-General Godfrey Nyaisakukuza noted the agreement would boost business education, intellectual property research and market access.
“GS1 Tanzania will train entrepreneurs on registration, IP rights and the importance of barcodes,” he said.
The MoU also focuses on raising awareness among small businesses about barcode readiness and market entry.
The collaboration also enables TBS and BRELA to gather vital data from businesses yet to adopt barcodes
