Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ)

29 January 2013

Nurturing and enhancing sustainable growth of SME’s

Standards Association of Zimbabwe

Mission •Enhance Competitiveness of Zimbabwean Industry and Service Providers while safeguarding the welfare of communities and consumers through encouraging the widespread use of standards.

The National Standard Body

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.

WorldwideStandardsSABS

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

SAZSmall to Medium Enterprises

Consumers

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 AssuranceEmail: szuze@saz.org.zwLandline: +263 4 772 514 Direct

+ 263 4 753 800/3 ReceptionMobile: +263 779 663 855Website: www.saz.org.zw

Thank You For ListeningAre There Any Questions?Thank You For ListeningAre There Any Questions?