The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade in Eswatini has emphasized the importance of accurate measurements in commercial trade, warning that inaccuracies can weaken public trust, result in hidden losses for businesses, and shortchange everyday consumers. This message was delivered at the official opening of a regional training course for technical assessors from across Southern Africa, held at The George Hotel in Manzini. The course aims to harmonize measurement standards across SADC member states.
The four-day Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) Legal Metrology Assessor Training Course brings together regulatory officials, calibration specialists, and regional assessors. The course focuses on standardizing assessment techniques and enforcing the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 international standard within legal metrology frameworks. Through classroom modules and hands-on practical evaluations, assessors will learn to translate technical requirements into effective auditing practices.
Mluleki Dlamini, Director of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, spoke on behalf of Principal Secretary Ambassador Masuku. He stressed that precise measurement is fundamental to everyday life and economic activity, underpinning both daily life and national economic survival. Dlamini emphasized that accurate measurement is essential for consumer purchases, business supplies, and export compliance.
Dlamini highlighted that legal metrology acts as a vital protective barrier in commercial transactions, safeguarding consumers while maintaining equity among competing commercial entities. He stated that legal metrology helps protect confidence in the marketplace, supports fairness in commercial transactions, and enables businesses to compete on an equitable basis. Inaccurate measurements, on the other hand, can weaken trust in the marketplace.
The workshop aims to equip assessors with the skills to translate rigid technical requirements into effective auditing practices. Through this training, Eswatini's Ministry of Commerce seeks to reinforce the country's ongoing efforts to build a robust quality infrastructure. Establishing accredited laboratories and trustworthy verification systems is essential for local enterprises aiming to penetrate international export markets.
Hosting the regional initiative reflects Eswatini's commitment to strengthening its national quality infrastructure. Competent laboratories and credible conformity assessment services support industrial development, improve the quality of goods and services, and help businesses meet domestic and export market requirements. This, in turn, will enable Eswatini's businesses to compete more effectively in the global market.
The Ministry's emphasis on accurate measurement and legal metrology underscores the critical role that measurement plays in ensuring fair trade and consumer protection. As Eswatini continues to build its quality infrastructure, the country is poised to reap the benefits of increased confidence in its measurement standards, improved industrial development, and enhanced competitiveness in the global market.
Key points
- Accurate measurement is fundamental to everyday life and economic activity.
- Inaccurate measurements can weaken public trust, result in hidden losses for businesses, and shortchange consumers.
- Eswatini is strengthening its national quality infrastructure to support industrial development and improve the quality of goods and services.
