TBS’ four years of standardizing businesses

DODOMA: TBS has made significant progress over the past four years in enforcing quality standards across various production sectors after testing more than 118,059 product samples and calibrated 36,808 measuring instruments to enhance product quality control.

Speaking to reporters in Dodoma yesterday, TBS Director-General Dr Ashura Katunzi highlighted that under President Samia’s leadership, TBS has embarked on the construction of laboratories in strategic regions, including Dodoma and Mwanza, to enhance service delivery and reduce costs for citizens.

“The construction of these laboratories will bring services closer to the people and improve efficiency in sample testing,” Dr Katunzi noted.

She further revealed that TBS has allocated 2.7bn/- to strengthen its seven zonal offices and border posts to curb the influx of substandard goods into the market, ensuring consumers have access to high-quality and safe products.

“This effort ensures that only quality products enter the market, preventing the circulation of substandard goods,” she said.

During the same period, TBS inspected 18,588 consignments and 162,160 vehicles at entry points to strengthen the monitoring of imported goods.

“These inspections aim to prevent Tanzania from becoming a dumping ground for substandard products while safeguarding consumer health, safety, and environmental protection,” she added.

Additionally, TBS issued 2,402 quality certificates and licenses to manufacturers, of which 1,066 were granted to small-scale entrepreneurs.

To support these entrepreneurs, the government has been allocating over 350m/- annually to facilitate their certification processes free of charge.

“These licenses have enabled manufacturers to produce high-quality goods that are trusted in the market and eligible for export, thereby driving national economic growth,” she said.

Dr Katunzi further stated that during President Samia’s tenure, TBS has registered 31,592 production, distribution, and storage facilities for food and cosmetics to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, protecting consumer health.

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TBS has also trained 5,052 manufacturers to help them meet required standards. In collaboration with the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) through the Qualitan Project, TBS has trained 1,000 food processors across 10 regions.

“Standards education is crucial for our producers to compete in both local and international markets,” she emphasized.

Recognizing the sixth-phase government’s commitment to expanding access to clean energy, TBS is working with development partners and the Ministry of Energy to develop energy efficiency standards for household electrical appliances.

Additionally, modern laboratory equipment is being procured to ensure that products meet required standards before reaching consumers.

“This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize energy wastage, and lower costs for consumers,” she emphasized.

Attributing to four years under President Samia, Dr. Katunzi said that in 2023, TBS received the prestigious award for Best Regulatory Authority in Africa, marking a significant achievement in quality control and standards enforcement.

“This award reflects TBS’s commitment to excellence and its positive impact on quality regulation,” Dr Katunzi said.

Furthermore, TBS became the first institution in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to receive international accreditation for product certification systems within a wide scope, a recognition granted by SADCAS in September 2024.

This accreditation enhances global recognition of Tanzania’s quality assurance systems.
Looking ahead to 2025,

TBS has also secured accreditation for the latest version of the international food safety management system standard (ISO 22003:2022), making it the first institution in the SADC region to achieve this milestone.