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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 and 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 WorldwideStandards 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: [email protected] 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?