KEBS MANAGING DIRECTOR ATTENDS THE 2ND WG2 MEETING IN NAIROBI KENYA

The 2nd meeting of Working Group 2 (WG2) of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QA&A) Sub-Committee of the Standardization, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing (SQMT) Committee under East African Community (EAC) took place from 22nd to 24th October 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The delegates were: G. Musoke and M. Imalingat of Uganda, E. Nigaba and A. Mbabazi of Rwanda, T. Mtitu and I. Mwabuka of Tanzania and; A. Kathiri, B. Nguyo and S. Ayeka of Kenya. M. Chesire of Kenya was the convener.

Eng. Dr. Mang’eli Kioko, the Managing Director of KEBS joined the delegates to Working Group 2 (WG2 meeting and gave stimulating insights into many issues affecting or affected by inspection activities. Highlights of his highly enriching contribution are given below.

Mang’eli emphasized the centrality of standards in all activities. He observed that:

·  Standards are critical to all activities and should become the way .of life for the people of EAC.

·  Standards form the basis for doing business.

·  Standards are needed for rapid and sustainable development.

He enumerated a number of challenges encountered by NSBs in carrying out inspection at entry points. Lack of co-operation by some of the agencies was identified as being a major one. As a way of dealing with these challenges, he recommended the development of a standard (or regulations) for the management of operations at points of inspection to be used by all agencies. This should be done in accordance with the SQMT Act. This, he went on to state, would solve most of the problems thus bringing harmony and co-operation amongst the various agencies.

He reminded the delegates that they were responsible for managing the risks associated with entry of sub-standard and counterfeit products which could pose safety, health and environmental hazards.

He revealed that KEBS had developed an on-line system which was awaiting the provision of the product fields ,by Customs, before being put into use.

The MD pinpointed the need for the development of inspection capacity and expertise in EAC.

Eng. Dr. Mang’eli told the delegates that there existed possibility of stationing Partner States inspection personnel within the Partner States and in other countries to carry out pre-inspection of imports. They in turn would be rewarded well to reflect the strategic importance of their work.

He expressed his willingness to support the work of WG 2 at the SQMT level.

The WG2 Chairman, G. Musoke thanked the MD for taking time to share his thoughts and insights with the delegates and for the good ideas he had given.

The MD had earlier on been welcomed by Mr. Martin Chesire who gave a brief of the activities of WG 2.

M/S Carol Outa, the KEBS Certification Manager, accompanied the MD.

Issues pertinent to quality inspection were discussed and a comprehensive work plan produced. Some of the issues covered included: Training of Inspectors, Study Visits, Harmonization of Regulations & Rules, Harmonization of Documentation, Cooperation with Customs and other agencies, Approximation of inspection schemes in Partner States, Establishment of effective communication mechanisms, Peer Evaluations, Database creation, management and sharing, and exchange of inspectors.

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