Bureau to check goods standards at entry point ,Bureau to check goods standards at entry point
by: Francis Tayanjah-Phiri,Francis Tayanjah-Phiri, 1/15/2004, 3:20:44 PM

Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) will start ensuring that goods entering the country comply with required standards, the bureau’s director general Austin Khulumula has said.
Speaking during a symposium in the Northern city of Mzuzu on Wednesday, Khulumula said MBS will carry out the exercise in conjunction with Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
"Recently government accepted that MBS and MRA work together at major entry points like Mwanza and Songwe to ensure that goods demanded by law to meet local standardization should only be allowed into the country if they meet such standards," Khulumula.
He said government is working on legislation to make compliance of standards mandatory for all imports into Malawi. He said MBS and MRA have already been given a go ahead to implement the requirement.
He, however, said his organisation and other stakeholders involved in policing standards face problems to control goods in open markets. Such goods mostly enter boarder points in small quantities.
"It is always difficult to control small importers who cross the boarders with such little quantities, for instance one carton or handbag. Officials may allow them in, but since these people are many you would still find that these unwanted goods saturate the market," said Khulumula.
Mzuzu City Assembly chief executive Samson Chirwa said food items need special attention even at local level.
Said Chirwa: "It is not only imported things that could be hazardous and undesirable, but even locally manufactured items need to comply to standards. Local consumers, suppliers and indeed all citizens, should join hands to ensure that standards are upheld."
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Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) will start ensuring that goods entering the country comply with required standards, the bureau’s director general Austin Khulumula has said.
Speaking during a symposium in the Northern city of Mzuzu on Wednesday, Khulumula said MBS will carry out the exercise in conjunction with Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
"Recently government accepted that MBS and MRA work together at major entry points like Mwanza and Songwe to ensure that goods demanded by law to meet local standardization should only be allowed into the country if they meet such standards," Khulumula.
He said government is working on legislation to make compliance of standards mandatory for all imports into Malawi. He said MBS and MRA have already been given a go ahead to implement the requirement.
He, however, said his organisation and other stakeholders involved in policing standards face problems to control goods in open markets. Such goods mostly enter boarder points in small quantities.
"It is always difficult to control small importers who cross the boarders with such little quantities, for instance one carton or handbag. Officials may allow them in, but since these people are many you would still find that these unwanted goods saturate the market," said Khulumula.
Mzuzu City Assembly chief executive Samson Chirwa said food items need special attention even at local level.
Said Chirwa: "It is not only imported things that could be hazardous and undesirable, but even locally manufactured items need to comply to standards. Local consumers, suppliers and indeed all citizens, should join hands to ensure that standards are upheld."