13 Feb 2019

Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) is responsible for developing national standards based on regional and/or international standards where they exist.

Answering a question from MP for Mochudi East Mr Moagi Molebatsi, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Moiseraele Goya indicated that there were two types of standards; ‘voluntary’ which are mandatory and ‘compulsory’ which are obligatory and are made for products and services that are likely to affect the health and safety of people, animals and the environment.

Mr Goya said these were enforceable by law and were provided for in the Standard Act.

In exceptional circumstances, Mr Goya said ‘where standards for certain commodities do not exist in other relevant jurisdiction, standards are initiated with the involvement of technical expertise from the industry.’

The assistant minister said the approach was adopted to ensure a balance of interests in the technical committees that assisted BOBS in the development of those standards.

Further, Mr Goya said his ministry expects any procurement entity, both private and public to use products covered by the standards once they are available.

He said the ministry had not placed the products on the list of prescribed standards and regulated products, hence they could not be subjected to the standards (Import Inspection) Regulations.

Mr Molebatsi had asked the minister what BOBS was doing to assist in curbing the importation of poor quality goods such as corrugated iron sheets that were easily damaged by heavy rains and hail storm. ENDS