The bureau says it has in the past five decades facilitated the development of over 1,800 Malawi Standards and developed the capability to analyze over 70 000 samples a year, meeting local and international requirements.

Acting Director General Rex Moyo told the media in Blantyre they hope their K18.3 billion office complex currently under construction will grow their scope of accreditation as it will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.

“In our current premises, we have had challenges to go for accreditation in more scopes as our laboratory is not purpose-built. As we move to the new premises, which have a controlled environment, we expect the results of [our] accreditation to be accepted worldwide,” Moyo said.

Moyo also disclosed that during this month, as of the golden jubilee celebration, traders seeking to attain Malawi standards, will do so at a reduced price of 50 percent.

He said the MBS will continue imparting knowledge to small and medium business operators on the importance of abiding by the Malawi standards.

“Most of our people are employed in the informal sector. We do realise that people have capacity to produce but do not have an understanding of standards. As such we decided to train them to be knowledgeable about standards,” said Moyo.

According to Moyo, small and medium enterprises have the potential to export their products outside Malawi thereby bringing forex into the country.

(By Mathias Mkupasha-ZBS)