The Government of Tanzania has continued to strengthen the national quality control system to ensure that products circulating in the market meet required safety and performance standards, with a focus on protecting consumers and improving the competitiveness of local industries.
Waziri wa Viwanda na Biashara, Judith Kapinga, told Parliament in Dodoma on May 22, 2026, that the government, through the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), has made significant progress in developing and implementing national standards across key sectors including agriculture, food, and engineering.
She said that by April 2026, a total of 230 standards had been completed and officially finalized for use in different sectors of the economy.
In addition, 499 other standards were at the final stages of preparation and are expected to be completed within the 2026 calendar year.
The expansion of standards is aimed at ensuring that both locally produced and imported goods meet acceptable quality levels.
According to the minister, the improved standardization system is part of broader government efforts to promote industrial growth, increase consumer protection, and support the competitiveness of Tanzanian products in regional and international markets.
She emphasized that clear and updated standards help industries improve production processes and reduce the risk of substandard goods reaching consumers.
In strengthening quality assurance, TBS also issued 856 Quality Mark licenses during the period under review. This represents 85.6 percent of the annual target of 1,000 licenses.
The Quality Mark is an important certification that confirms a product has met national quality requirements and is safe for consumption or use.
Out of the 856 licenses issued, 349 were granted to small-scale entrepreneurs involved in the production of various goods such as peanut butter, honey, drinking water, rice, and other consumer products.
This development reflects the government’s continued commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow while ensuring that their products meet market standards.
The minister further noted that TBS has continued to provide training and awareness programs for entrepreneurs and stakeholders on quality management systems.
These trainings are designed to help producers understand and comply with required standards, improve product quality, and reduce cases of non-compliance in the market.
In addition, a total of 2,070 food and cosmetic products had been registered by April 2026. This represents 86.3 percent of the annual target of 2,400 product registrations and approvals.
Of these registered products, 1,406 were food items while 664 were cosmetic products. The registration process is intended to ensure that all products sold to consumers are safe, properly labeled, and meet health requirements.
The government has continued to emphasize that strong regulatory systems in product quality not only protect consumers but also enhance trust in locally made goods.
This, in turn, supports industrial development and helps Tanzania’s products to compete more effectively in both domestic and export markets.
Overall, the progress reported by TBS reflects ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more reliable quality assurance system that benefits producers, consumers, and the national economy as a whole.
