STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE

Transcription

1 STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE Zimbabwe Country Paper for the ISO/TC Workshop on Linking Trade Promotion Organizations and National Standards Bodies for Export Success (21 23 June 2011, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania) (by Romana Marunda) 1. The Role, Structure and Scope of the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) 1.1 Brief Introduction The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) is the national standards body of Zimbabwe. Formed in 1957 and incorporated in 1960, the Association is a nongovernmental and non-profit making organization operating under the Zimbabwe s Companies Act with Articles and Memorandum of Association. A General Council which oversees the affairs of the organization consists of 56 representatives of government, local authorities, professional and academic institutions, industry and commerce governs the Association. The General Council determines the overall policy of the Association. Whilst the SAZ derives its income from certification and registration activities, laboratory testing and calibration fees, training and sale of publications, it also has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) represented by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Government collects a Standards Development Levy Fund (SDLF) from specified employers through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce from which SAZ derives about 30% of its income. 1.2 Functions/Structure Standards Development The core function of SAZ is the facilitation of the development of national standards in consultation with relevant stakeholders. As at April 2011, 1707 standards have been published. In 1996 SAZ signed the WTO/TBT (Annex 3) Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of standards and is guided by the code s principles in its standardization activities. SAZ represents Zimbabwe in ISO, IEC Country Affiliate Programme, SADCSTAN and Comesa Standards Harmonization Committee and actively participates in these organizations standardization programmes. Increasingly international and regional standards are adopted as national standards to ensure national standards do not 1

2 conflict with those of regional and international trade partners. 24% of standards published in 2010 were ISO standards adoptions Standards Based Training Programmes To promote an understanding of standards requirements, SAZ offers standards based training programmes for organizations implementing specific standards e.g. ISO 9001, OHSAS, HACCP, ISO 14001, ISO 10002, ISO/IEC The courses covers, awareness, implementation and internal auditing Inspection and Testing SAZ avails to producers and consumers laboratory facilities for testing of manufactured goods and raw materials to demonstrate their compliance with standards. We also offer inspection services. We are currently working towards accreditation of the testing and inspection services to ISO and ISO respectively Certification We operate a product certification scheme under which goods produced under proper control are licensed as in compliance with appropriate standards and carry the SAZ mark of approval. There are currently 320 products on the scheme. SAZ also offers management system certification schemes to quality (ISO 9001) and environmental (ISO 14001) standards. Both these schemes are accredited by the Southern Africa National Accreditation System (SANAS). Future accreditation will be through the recently launched Southern African Development Community Accreditation System (SADCAS). Other certification schemes are OH & S (OHSAS 18001), FSMS (ISO 22000) and HACCP. As at April, the number of companies certified were as follows: QMS (90); EMS (11); OHSAS (8); FSMS (3) and HACCP (1). Testing and certification schemes are mostly demanded by exporters Information Services We offer information services on national, foreign national and international standards. An annual catalogue of national standards is published and specific subject listings and promotional fliers are widely disseminated. Customer standards holdings lists are updated upon request. A selective dissemination of information services is offered which matches customer standards information profiles with appropriate standards. 2

3 In 2010, 57% of enquiries were from the private sector, 34% from SAZ staff; 6% from public sector 2% from academia and 1% from foreign customers WTO/TBT Enquiry Point The Zimbabwe Government signed the WTO/TBT Agreement in 1995 and as required by the Agreement designated the SAZ as the WTO/TBT Enquiry Point for standards and conformity assessment information. WTO/TBT notifications are received from the WTO/TBT Secretariat. A circular of the relevant ones being notified by trading partners is compiled and circulated. 1.3 Priority Sectors Zimbabwe s economy is gradually picking up following several economic challenges. Growth potential is in the tourism, mining, agricultural and industrial (value addition) sector, as the country resuscitates its economy. SAZ is targeting all these sectors to ensure it plays a meaningful role in the economic revival. Non sector specific services are in the various certification schemes. 1.4 Gaps in service delivery Zimbabwe s exporters face inadequate infrastructural services e.g electricity and water shortages, unreliable telecommunication, and limited, expensive financial support. SAZ constraints in its service delivery include lack of adequate technical equipment, lack of adequate expertise in new areas, (e.g SR), weak link of standards and the technical regulatory framework, certification not tied to product/service conformance to product standards 1.5 Strategic Vision SAZ has launched a Strategic Plan ( ) document with 10 strategic policies but its link to national development is weak. The 10 strategic policies that SAZ has to pursue are: Ensure capitalization of US$1.3 million by Ensure adequate competent and motivated staff Improve corporate image, publicity and visibility Improve operational efficiencies Grow sales volume to US$3.2 million per annum by 2014 Wider product range Ensure implementation of plans 3

4 Ensure beneficial and sustainable strategic alliances and partnerships Improve working capital position SAZ is currently lobbying government to give it designated powers as an import/export quality control agent. SAZ will continue to enhance its regional and international linkages. 2. The Existing Relationship between NSB and TPO 2.1 To what extend is role of NSB understood by the TPO and Exporters Role of NSBs is well understood by the TPO as we work closely with the national TPO, Zimtrade. The TPO is represented in the SAZ General Council which determines the overall policy of the Association. Exporters understanding of the role of SAZ exists but it could be strengthened further especially in the SMEs sector. 2.2 Relationship with the TPO Apart from being in the General Council, Zimtrade sits on the Services and Systems Management Standards Council which among other functions approves standards projects for that area. Nominations to technical committees work are also requested from Zimtrade. Zimtrade s quality management system was certified by SAZ. Both organizations sit on various intergovernmental committees which in future will include the National Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee which was recently launched. Information sharing. Zimtrade are on the SAZ mailing list and receive the WTO/TBT notifications circular and the standards work programme. Both websites are interlinked. Capacity building. SAZ has been invited by the TPO to make presentations at its various foras. There is no formal mechanism for coordination between the two organizations, but this has not been a constraint in their cooperation. 4

5 There is need for a formal mechanism to maintain the relationship as well as to ensure that coordination is really taking place. Relationship is currently on an adhoc basis. 2.3 Linkage constraints Linkage exists but can be further enhanced. There are really no constraints in the linkage, but if further strengthened it could enhance the SAZ s capacity to improve its service delivery, identifying new areas for standardization as well as new services required, and avoid cases were exporters appeal for SAZ s assistance when their exports have been refused entry at border posts. 2.4 Relationship with other organizations The SAZ s General Council consists of 50 representatives of government, local authorities, professional and academic institutions, industry and commerce. Some of the members are Bankers Association of Zimbabwe, Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe, Cement and Concrete Institute, Chamber of Mines, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Timber Producers Federation. This General Council determines the overall policy of SAZ. SAZ derives part of its funding from the Standards Development Levy Fund into which specified employers contribute a percentage of their wage bill. Various MoUs have been drawn up with strategic partners such as the Government of Zimbabwe, local authorities, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), Zimtrade, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and some foreign national standards bodies. 3. Potential future relationship with TPO 3.1 Sectors for Cooperation and Collaboration Major guide should be those sectors Zimbabwe has a competitive advantage and growth and value addition potential. These sectors are tourism, mining, agricultural, products processing including food manufacturing, textiles and footwear. Collaboration areas i) Preparation and Dissemination of Information Some information sharing is currently taking place but this can be enhanced by the publication of joint promotional materials such as brochures and exporters alerts circulars highlighting how the two organizations can enhance exports competitiveness. 5

6 Information exchanged should serve a specific purpose e.g. final draft for comments to the TPO for their wider circulation not just a global circulation of any information. Organizations can also share customers databases. ii) Capacity building and Advisory Service Implement joint projects for donor funding in selected export niches to address existing gaps in terms of quality Joint subsidizing projects for SMEs to enhance the quality of their products. Offer joint training for exporters iii) Obtaining and demonstrating compliance SAZ offers a wide range of certification scheme which exporters can use to demonstrate compliance. Joint subsidized programmes can be put in place to assist SMEs to implement standards so they can access the export market. 3.2 Overcoming current challenges Challenges faced are not many as working relationship exist already. What is required is an MoU as a mechanism to enhance further the existing relationship. 3.3 What value added could your organization offer to the TPO - Subsidiary programmes for SMEs with TPO - Increase joint representation in relevant organizations - Lobby for the TPO representation in the National TBT Committee and the SAZ Technical Advisory Committee - Give TPO library a complimentary set of national standards to facilitate access by their customers - Staff exchanges to strengthen information linkages e.g. Appointment of contract persons for each organization. 3.4 Mechanism for effective cooperation and working relationship Cooperation through an MoU could facilitate effective cooperation and more formal relationship. A formal arrangement is the best as it will improve on the current ad hoc way of cooperation. Benefit to SAZ More customers for its services Close link of standardization programme with the national priorities will improve SAZ s relevance and credibility Exporters information from TPO can assist SAZ in its service provision outreach 6

7 Provide Exports Quality Control inspections More understanding of role of TPO Benefits to TPO Effective advisory service on conformity assessment information to exporters More understanding on the role of NSB Meaningful contribution to standardization programmes of the NSB to ensure its market relevant. Benefits to exporters More coordinated and effective use of services offered by the NSB and TPO almost one stop shop Joint TPO/NSB partnership for donor funding to improve quality in identified sectors Improve information access Benefits to buyer/investor Guaranteed quality and safety of products Increase consumer confidence in products What are the needs to get i) Endorsement by the Ministry Both the NSB and TPO fall under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce ii) Resources Both the NSB and Zimtrade benefit from funding established through legislation, i.e. the Standards Development Levy Fund and the Trade Development Surcharge respectively. Conclusion The NSB is already cooperating with the TPO as their services are complementary and key to improving Zimbabwe s exports and ensure sustainable growth in the economy. New areas of partnership need to be developed to maximize on the existing linkages. Further cooperation can be enhanced by a more formal approach through an MoU to ensure a more systematic approach. 7