Standards Association of Zimbabwe SAZ Nurturing and enhancing
Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Nurturing and enhancing sustainable growth of SME’s 29 January 2013
Standards Association of Zimbabwe The National Standard Body Mission • Enhance Competitiveness of Zimbabwean Industry and Service Providers while safeguarding the welfare of communities and consumers through encouraging the widespread use of standards.
Standards Association of Zimbabwe • Departments – Operations (runs the development of Standards, Inspection Testing and Verification) – Quality Assurance (runs the Certification of Management Systems • Training • Marketing and Public Relations • Operates offices in Bulawayo, Mutare and Harare
Issues affecting trade • • • Global economic crisis Zimbabwe Trade deficit (US$4 Billion) Low productivity in Industry and low capacity utilisation Uncompetitive products and services High unemployment rate (85%) and skills shortage Low local product demand low confidence in local products Global Village Technological advancement An emerging SME Sector The Green Economy
TRADING BLOCKS/ ORGANISATIONS • • • SADC African Union (AU) European Union (EU) COMESA ECOWAS BRICS FACILITATING TRADE
WHAT ARE STANDARDS? • Standards are documents established by consensus and approved by a recognised body that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree or order in a given context. SABS Worldwide. Standards
Standards • • ZWS ISO 9001: 2008 – Quality Management System ZWS ISO 22000 – Food Safety Management System ZWS ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System ZWS ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System • ZWS OHSAS – Occupational Health and Safety Management System • Product mark certification scheme
HOW SAZ CERTIFICATION SERVICES ARE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED Third Party Testimony International Accreditation Forum (IAF) SANAS SAZ Consumers Small to Medium Enterprises
Benefits of Certification to SME’s • • Achievement of goals and objectives Enhanced image Increased operational efficiency Better communication, internal and external Strong marketing tool - market access Attracts funding Less production waste Compliance to regulatory and statutory requirements
Roadmap to Certification • Product or service is audited against requirements of applicable standards • Ability to consistently meet the requirements is ensured through surveillance audits • Cost of certification is organisation or product specific – SAZ willing to negotiate terms and cost
How Certification enhances value chain linkages • • International accessibility (registered supplier) Technology transfer (Interoperability) Enhancing confidence to operate as distributer Training
SAZ is Here to Help Mr S. Zuze – Director Quality Assurance Email: szuze@saz. org. zw Landline: +263 4 772 514 Direct + 263 4 753 800/3 Reception Mobile: +263 779 663 855 Website: www. saz. org. zw Thank You For Listening Are There Any Questions?
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