NQP Draft Awaits Parliamentary Debate, Approval
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday October 26, 2021 06:00
The main aim of the policy is to ensure that Botswana has adequate and effective quality infrastructure, relevant legislation, and well-streamlined quality assurance efforts.
This will significantly ensure international recognition of products produced in Botswana, as well as the organisations supporting them like BOBS and other regulators. Speaking at the conference, BOBS acting managing director Botsile Kebapetse said the policy is going to guide in creating quality infrastructure, a technical regulatory framework and improve the quality of goods and services of Botswana to attain international recognition. "The policy was done through a vigorous process, which was inclusive as we wanted to ensure everybody has a say.
The policy that we are presenting was guided by the feedback," he said. Kebapetse said the policy seeks to support SMME compliance to standards and technical regulation as well as promote private sector participation. It also aims at improving coordination and collaboration amongst agencies in regulatory and standards development. "The policy intends to create coordination amongst the regulatory organs across government.
Without it, the compliance required in the international arena would be compromised. We do have quality technical infrastructure in Botswana, we need to coordinate all these," he said. According to Kebapetse, the policy needs to comply with several international and regional agreements and protocols. "Our technical regulations are based on the international standards just like any other members states. It is important that we all comply with these because we will be using the same standards," he said.