More firms seek MBS certification

Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) says many companies are now seeking standardisation and quality assurance from the institution.

MBS director general Symon Mandala said this in Mzuzu on Friday during a certification awards presentation.

He said the number of firms seeking services of MBS have jumped from 645 in December last year to 701 this April.

Said Mandala: “This means that we are reaching out to the industry and they now know the importance of standardisation and, therefore, we are registering some progress.”

He, however, urged the companies to maintain the standards or risk the revocation of their certificates.

“If the companies do not comply with standards, we will revoke their certificates because Malawians are now quality sensitive. As a result, we are getting more tips and complaints on companies that are not complying with standards,” said Mandala.

In his presentation, MBS director of quality assurance services Steve Kamuloni assured Malawians that MBS will work vigorously to meet their expectations to promote standardisation and quality assurance.

“We shall, therefore, ensure that both local and international products on the market are compliant to standards and we will, therefore, confiscate all substandard products,” he said.

Anna Msowoya Keys, whose company Kwithu Kitchen was awarded a quality certificate, said her company achieved this through commitment and determination to offer quality products on the market.

“It has taken us three years to be awarded this certificate which is hard for a company that is in business,” she said.

Keys further asked Malawians to support local companies such as Kwithu Kitchen by buying locally-made products.