06 Apr 2022

 Members of Parliament have continued to unanimously welcome the proposed National Quality Policy (NQP) 2021, with hope that it will result in high standard goods and services.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela, presented the policy in Parliament recently, which he said aimed to adopt and implement internationally recognised and acceptable Quality Infrastructure (QI) and Technical Regulation (TR) practices in the country.

Mr Kgafela explained that the Quality Infrastructure, which referred to institutional framework required to establish and implement standardisation, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment services necessary to provide acceptable guidance that products and services meet the defined requirements demanded by authorities and the market place.
On the other hand, he said the Technical Regulation was the laid down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including applicable administrative provisions with which compliance is mandatory.

“These practices are important as they provide a crucial link to global trade, market access and global competitiveness through their contribution to consumer confidence in product quality, safety, health and environment,” said the minister.
Mr Kgafela added that the policy articulated government aims with regards to modernisation of the National Quality Infrastructure and re-engineering of the Technical Regulation regime, so they fully complied with the current international norms and practices.

“The National Quality Policy of 2021 is therefore an integral part of the broader industrial, diversification and export strategies that seek the development of quality products and services,” added the minister.
He explained that the policy was developed through consultation with government ministries and departments, parastatal organisations, private sector, civil society, academia, media as well as other development partners.

Contributing to the debate, Tati West Member of Parliament, Mr Simon Moabi said the National Quality Policy was long due, pointing that it should have been promulgated way back in 1995 when Botswana joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Mr Moabi asked for standards of accredited programmes in tertiary education institutions to be reviewed.
Mahalapye West Member of Parliament, Mr David Tshere was also of the view that the policy was necessary as a guiding tool.

Mr Tshere, however, asked the minister to consider developing a law on quality standards in the future. He said while the policy provided guidance, the law was more effective since it was enforceable.“When we talk about quality standards, there should be inspection, monitoring, evaluation, research and development taking place.
All these things can be done when there is a law on quality standards in place instead of a policy,” said the legislator.

Kgalagadi North Member of Parliament, Ms Talita Monnakgotla said having such a policy in place would lead to the local manufacturing industry producing high quality goods and being competitive.
Ms Monnakgotla said having businesses produce quality goods and services would in the long term benefit the consumers.
Maun East Member of Parliament, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile welcomed the policy, arguing that Botswana had for a long time relied on foreign and international accreditation bodies for quality standards.  
“We rely on the South Africa National Accreditation Service and the SADC Accreditation Service for guidance on the quality of many goods.
It is now time that we have our own such body,” said the MP.

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi expressed hope that the policy would lead to adoption of high standards of vocational and technical education.
Mr Ramogapi said the vocational and technical education standards were in a state of decline in the country.
He further said the requirements for standards of imported goods should be reviewed using the policy.
He said lack of stringent standards had resulted in Botswana being a dumping site for sub-standard goods from other countries. ENDS