07 Apr 2022

Service providers who violate the National Quality Policy will face administrative sanctions from the Consumer Protection Authority or criminal sanctions from the Consumer Protection Act.
That follows approval of the National Quality Policy of 2021 by Parliament on Wednesday, a documen that adopts and implements internationally recognised and acceptable quality standards and practices regarding goods and services in Botswana.Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Mmusi Kgafela presented the policy in Parliament last week.
The policy was then subjected to debate by legislators.

While MPs unanimously supported it, some legislators were concerned that the policy would not be legally enforceable.
They, therefore, implored government to establish a law in the near future that would enforce quality standards.
Mr Kgafela, however, assured legislators that the policy would be enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act, which made provision for quality protection.

“Part 5 of the Consumer Protection Act is clear that consumers have the right to be given quality service and sold quality goods, and be provided service at the expected time.
The Act in Part 46 also indicates that any person who violates the law is liable to a financial penalty amounting to P500 000 or a prison sentence or both,” said the minister.

The minister explained that giving sub-standard service or selling sub-standard goods to consumers was a criminal offence.Mr Kgafela added that the policy would also be enforceable under the Standards Act.“Section 10 of the Standards Act is clear that when standards have been put in place, every product covered under the standard should meet that standard,” said the minister.
He also assured MPs that government would, in future, establish an accreditation body for the country.Mr Kgafela further explained that the policy would implement institutional framework required to establish and implement standardisation, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment services necessary to provide acceptable guidance that products and services met the defined requirements demanded by authorities and the market place.

Again, he said the policy would lay down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including applicable administrative provisions with which compliance was 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 products quality, safety, health and environment,” said the minister. ENDS