22 COMMONWEALTH STANDARDS NETWORK


identify the most suitable and timely interventions to maximize value for money. For example, in Zambia, metrology activities had been transferred to the newly-reformed Zambia, Metrology Agency, and all inspection activities – the most lucrative of QI activities – were transferred from ZABS to a new body, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency. “That’s why we chose to prioritise helping ZABS become financially viable once again, diversifying their revenue streams and helping them to develop a sustainable business model,” said Darya. In contrast, the UNBS is vastly better


resourced and uses its resources to perform an essential function for the public and private sectors, inspecting and testing for compliance to over 300 compulsory and voluntary standards. According to Darya, what both countries


have in common is a standards perception problem, “Certification is seen as another compliance cost instead of something that adds value and competitive edge. The team is therefore keen to help NSBs extend their reach, break away from the ‘policeman’ image and raise awareness of the many benefits of standards.” As BSI Principal Consultant for BSI, Charles Davies points out the timing of CSN is also opportune: “The African Union is in the process of setting up a continental single market through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. The work we’re doing in Zambia and Uganda will contribute to their market integration and help boost regional trade links.”


UP TO STANDARD? I


n Zambia, the BSI team assessed government procurement specifi cation procedures to highlight short and medium-term strategies for encouraging the take-up of standards and raising quality levels. “We’ve interviewed a lot of government


offi cials as well as private sector representatives to get their perspective and understanding of standards in public procurement”, said Darya. “We found a generally low level of


appreciation for how standards should be considered on a par with fi nancial procurement aspects. This gave us some ideas for where the focus of follow up assistance may need to be” she added.


HANDLE WITH CARE The fi sheries sector is a considerable contributor to Ugandan economic development, worth over $150 million in exports, adding around 3% to national GDP and employing up to 1.5 million artisanal fi shermen. However, the sector’s huge export potential is held back by diffi culties in getting their product accepted for export and failing to meet the requirements of major corporate customers.


Some of this is down to poor understanding or practice of basic techniques in the handling of fi sh after it’s caught, which results in the unnecessary deterioration of the products.


Health and Safety training for Zambian exporters and Agri Research Institute employees


To address this the CSN team is collaborating with the Fisheries Resources Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries to get the message across about proper fi sh handling techniques to all industry stakeholders. “We’re simplifying and translating guidelines into local languages, which will help the fi shermen understand how their practices can be improved to meet quality standards,” said Darya.


SPREADING THE WORD CSN has partnered with the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association to provide


‘training of trainers’ for 20 of its members operating in the Food and Beverage sector. Trainers were taught about certifi cation procedures and requirements with the aim of passing their knowledge on to their fellow entrepreneurs. Of the 20 representatives almost half were female, contributing to one of the goals of the CSN, which is to improve equality levels. “Getting certifi cation of their produce will improve the prospects of smaller producers selling their products in regional markets. It’s a really positive initiative that we feel we’ll get the most scale from, and that it will be self- sustaining as word spreads.” said Darya.


CONTENTS


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