The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has intensified efforts to develop national standards, issue certifications, and train stakeholders, reinforcing product quality and supporting economic growth.
Speaking on September 18, 2025, at a media session organized by the Office of the Registrar of the Treasury, TBS Director General Dr. Ashura Katunzi highlighted the bureau’s work through 115 Technical Committees covering food, chemicals, mechanical and electrical engineering, construction, textiles and leather, mining, environmental management, and general techniques.
“These Technical Committees actively engage universities, research institutions, manufacturers, traders, consumer associations, regulators, and policymakers to develop standards that reflect market needs,” Dr. Katunzi said.
The collaborative approach, according to her, ensures that standards facilitate business competitiveness and protect consumers.
Since the start of the sixth-phase government, TBS has developed 2,765 standards across various sectors.
“These standards will enable entrepreneurs and businesses to produce goods that meet quality requirements, boosting domestic trade and export potential,” Dr. Katunzi added.
By promoting compliance, the standards help Tanzanian products gain acceptance in international markets.
The bureau has also issued 3,184 quality certificates and licenses, including 1,359 to small-scale entrepreneurs.
“The government allocates over TZS 350 million annually to support small businesses in obtaining certifications free of charge,” she said.
The measures, she said, enhance the credibility of Tanzanian products, promote consumer confidence, and encourage economic growth.
TBS continues to strengthen product registration and facility inspection. So far, 8,199 food and cosmetic products have been registered, along with 47,886 production, sales, distribution, and storage facilities.
“These registrations ensure compliance with safety and quality standards and protect public health,” Dr. Katunzi noted.
To prevent substandard imports, TBS inspects goods and vehicles both before shipment and upon arrival.
During the sixth-phase government, 153,159 consignments were examined before export through the Pre-Shipment to Conformity (PVoC) system, while 352,103 consignments were inspected upon arrival via Destination Inspection (DI).
Additionally, 203,689 vehicles were screened.
“These inspections safeguard consumers, protect the environment, and maintain market integrity,” she said.
Training and capacity building remain central to TBS’s strategy. The bureau has trained 5,437 stakeholders, including industrial manufacturers and food processors, on standards, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
“The training equips producers to meet market demands and enhances competitiveness locally, regionally, and internationally,” Dr. Katunzi explained.
Under the 2024 Qualitan Project, in partnership with SIDO, TBS trained 1,000 food producers across ten regions: Dar es Salaam, Singida, Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Kigoma, Shinyanga, Tanga, Ruvuma, and Kilimanjaro.
“The initiative strengthened knowledge of quality standards and regulatory frameworks, enabling producers to improve product safety and marketability,” she said.
Public education is another key pillar. TBS engages consumers and producers through conferences, exhibitions, workshops, seminars, district-level outreach, and media campaigns.
“We use community and national radio, television, newspapers, social media, brochures, and magazines to increase awareness of standards, compliance, and product safety,” Dr. Katunzi said.
He emphasized that TBS’s work is vital for promoting quality, protecting consumers, and supporting economic growth.
“By ensuring compliance with standards, we not only improve the competitiveness of Tanzanian products but also strengthen trust in the market, opening avenues for trade and investment.”