SADCA Newsletter - April 2004

Programme on Standardisation, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM)

SADCMET booklet published

The SADC vision of a common future that ensures economic well being, improvement of standards of living and the quality of life, freedom, social justice, peace and security for the people of Southern Africa has been bolstered with the launch of a SADCMET booklet.

Aimed at disseminating information on the SADC trading bloc, the well presented booklet includes a historical perspective, the trade protocol and technical barriers to trade. While metrology is incorporated as a catalyst in conformity assessment, it is used as an essential element in eliminating technical barriers to trade.

Included is vast information on the SADC SQAM structure, programmes and focus areas.  Additionally, technical data is also presented on each SADC member country. Copies may be obtained from mmusarurwa@csir.co.za

Nigerian ties strengthened

A South African SQAM delegation has successfully completed a visit to Nigeria, during November 2003, subsequent to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Nigeria in April 2003.

Comprising of the CSIR-NML, SANAS and SABS, Dr Mukayi Musarurwa (NML) commented that the visit focused on advancing technical co-operation with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

He added that the success of the Mobile Laboratory that was delivered to the Mozambican National Institute for Standardization and Quality (INNOQ) in Maputo featured prominently in their discussions. Various aspects on the provision of NML measurement capabilities in providing needed traceability also received attention.

The mobile laboratory is tailor made to provide a calibration service to industry as well as legal metrology services in the remote areas of a country as an alternative to and a possible precursor for establishing branch metrology laboratories at various regional centers.  The laboratory is custom designed and constructed with lockable cabinets and drawers to securely store all the metrology equipment during transit. Rigid worktables and sufficient lighting further enhance the working environment of the laboratory.

Mukayi concluded by saying that SON in the process of finalising arrangements for the mobile laboratory proposal submitted by the CSIR-NML and are expected to purchase a laboratory by April 2004 and a further one by September 2004.

“In addition, much needed calibration services will be provided by the NML to establish traceability at SON.  It is expected that a contract will be implemented by April 2004,” he concluded.

Issues surrounding accreditation and standardisation were discussed by SANAS and SABS respectively.

Focus on Mozambique

INNOQ (define Mozambique National Standards and Quality Institute) celebrated the Quality Week 2003 from 10th to 15th November 2003 with the topic "Quality Policy key for the competitiveness improvement".

See picture nº Pict001 attached – Participants at the National Conference on Quality Policy

During week 12th to 13th November 2003, INNOQ organised the 2nd National Conference on Quality Policy, attended by about 160 participants including representatives from the provinces. At the event the implementation of the Final Draft of National Quality Policy and Strategies was discussed.

The implementation of the Quality Policy and Strategies was approved by the Council of Ministers in Mozambique at the end of November 2003.  The Quality Policy is important instrument toward the development of the National Quality System in Mozambique. The above-referred policy was developed with the collaboration and participation of the several stakeholders and with the support from SIDA and UNIDO. It is key to the improvement of the quality of products and services from Mozambique.

The Mobile Laboratory donated to INNOQ by UNIDO was inaugurated during the celebration of the Quality week 2003.

(See pictures nº Pict2 in attached, with 1st Photo Mob. Lab ready for inauguration and photo 2 below refer to proper inauguration with Senior person from Ministry of Trade and Industry and INNOQ`s Director).

Training on the operation of the laboratory was given to the INNOQ`s staff and some regional participants by the CSIR-NML and supported by the PTB during 14th to 25th July and 22nd September to 03rd October 2003.

On the matter of World Metrology Day 2004, Mozambique will feature “Metrology in Sport" as its theme.

SADCMET

Namibia's water 'amongst best in Africa'

NAMIBIA'S and South Africa's potable water supplies are among the safest in the region but the quality of water elsewhere in southern Africa and the continent is cause for grave concern. Access to clean potable water is considered a basic human right, and analysis of water samples by laboratories cannot be overlooked, says the German Embassy in Namibia.

According to Dr Mukayi Musarurwa of the CSIR-NML, Regional Co-ordinator for SADC Metrology, unreliable results obtained from water laboratories across Africa has left many communities exposed to potential health threats. Representatives from all SADC countries, as well as from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, met in Windhoek during February 2004 to discuss the establishment of a regional proficiency testing scheme for water testing laboratories throughout the region - with the aid of specialists from Europe.

Musarurwa said people throughout Africa had lost faith in the claims of city and town councils that their water was not only safe for consumption but of good quality.

“In many rurar areas, he said, the quality of water was not even known.”

Musarurwa said with limited water resources available in many of the region's countries, the issue of quality and reliability of measurements were of prime importance.

"Namibia is far better off than other countries.  And there are lessons to be learned here for putting in place a system that is reliable and credible," said Musarurwa.

During their stay, conference delegates visited the water testing laboratories of NamWater and the City of Windhoek.

With limited water resources, the City relies on the Gammams Reclamation Plant for 30 per cent of its potable water.  The German government also pledged its continued commitment to the good management of cross-boundary natural resources, and set aside N$60 million for this purpose last year.

German Ambassador to Namibia, Wolfgang Massing, reminded delegates of water's role as a basic service and human need and that safeguarding its quality was of the utmost importance.

Outcomes of the Workshop included the following:

-         Regarding the matrix for a pilot PT scheme, delegates agreed to start with drinking water/ground water as this is directly related to peoples health.

-         The PT scheme would encompass the following parameters: kations; Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, and Al, and anions; Cl, No3, SO4, and F.

-         Umgeni Water (Pietermaritzburg) was chosen to be the provider of the proposed PT scheme.

-         A nominal fee of US$100 per round would be paid by each participating laboratory.

The scheme is scheduled to kick-off in June 2004.

ARSO General Assembly looks forward for Africa

The 12th African Regional Standards Organisation (ARSO) general assembly meeting has been held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 5th and 6th February 2004.

Attended by CSIR-NML Business Manager Dr Mukayi Musarurwa, as the SADCMET Regional Coordinator, the cause of standardisation across Africa in meeting the challenges of the prevailing global trends was reiterated as fundamental in expanding market access.

The assembly resolved that a new vision and role was needed to assist Africa in the NEPAD initiative, which is targeted at African economic renaissance.  The role of standardisation in regional and global competitiveness could only be achieved by ARSO uniting its vision and inspiration with the African Union (AU).  It was agreed that ARSO should create a high awareness of standardisation in policy making decisions.  This could be resolved at the AU Heads of States and Governments meeting of AU specialised agencies.

Relationships with co-operating partners, including UNIDO, ISO, PTB, WTO, et al, were encouraged and participation in public and private sector standardisation initiatives should include National Standards Bodies.

SADCA

Following on from the SADCA annual meeting held on 8 April 2003 in Livingstone, Zambia, SADC member states have officially appointed National Accreditation Focal Point (NAFP) staff.  The appointed NAFP staff are currently undergoing training.  The training programme is in 3 parts namely:

5-day workshop on world trade, conformity assessment and accreditation requirements

2-week attachment at an internationally recognized national accreditation body

3-day feedback session

The aim of the 3 part training programme is to equip NAFP staff and SADCA committee members with the knowledge required to assist in the creation of awareness on accreditation within their respective countries as well as the development of the NAFP.  The training programme is part of the SADCA project.

The 5-day workshop was successfully held from 27-31 October 2003 in South Africa.  Nine NAFP delegates have now completed the 2-week attachments at the Norwegian, Australian and South African national accreditation bodies.  Attachments were held between November 2003 and January 2004.  Arrangements are still underway for the attachment programmes for the French and Portuguese speaking SADC member states delegates from Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique and Angola respectively.

The 3-day feedback session was successfully held from 10-12 March 2004 in Pretoria, South Africa.  The purpose of the feedback session was to:

Share experiences from the attachment programmes;

Identify any further training that may be required; and last but not least

Identify actions required by delegates to successfully perform their task as the NAFP.

After completion of the feedback workshop all recommendations from the NAFPs were categorized and subcommittees formed.  These subcommittees will be addressing the recommendations. An action plan was drawn up and time allocated to the NAFPs for implementation thereof.   The subcommittees are:

Marketing and Publicity
Training
Resources
Organisation
Relations

The SADCA Project Management Committee (SADCA PMC) met in July 2003 and October 2003 to amongst other issues, progress other aspects of the regional project such as incorporation of SADCAS the regional accreditation body.  Terms of reference for a feasibility study into incorporation have been developed and a consultant has been assigned to carry out the task.

The SADCA PMC met on 8 and 9 March 2004 to discuss project progress as well as to plan for 2004 General Assembly to be held in Port Louis, Mauritius.

The SADCA Vice Chair and Regional Coordinator attended the IAAC General Assembly in Guatemala from 6 to 10 October 2003 as part of regional cooperation between SADCA and IAAC.