Quality Control at border posts

Since July 2014, quality control agents from the Burundi Bureau of Standards and Quality Control are stationed at border posts to verify the quality of imported goods that are not harmful to human beings.–By Diane Uwimana

Quality Control agents working closely with OBR and other agents at Kobero border post ©Iwacu

The quality control agents are installed at Kobero border post (between Burundi and Tanzania), where they work in synergy with the Burundi Revenue Authority Agents and agents from veterinary and health inspection services. The quality control agents have the important role of verifying and controlling the quality of fresh products such as salt, oil and sugar.
Damien Nakobedetse, the Director of the Burundi Bureau of Standards and Quality Control (BBN) indicates that the institution has the objective of installing agents wherever there is heavy traffic. “We are looking for employees and budget to post agents at other border posts such as Gasenyi, Ruhwa and Kanyaru-Haut”, Nakobedetse explains.

The Director notes that the quality control agents send a product sample to the BBN laboratory for testing and analysis. “Importers are obliged to have their goods tested, otherwise they are not allowed to be cleared”, he insists.
When BBN agents are not present at the border posts, importers are obliged to bring their goods to the Bujumbura Port. “We are waiting to finish some construction work at the other border posts, when that’s done we will deploy our agents everywhere in order to facilitate trade in our country”, Damien Nakobedetse points out.

“Their work is unknown”

Joas Katanga, Director of Customs and Ports at the Burundi Revenue Authority indicates that while BBN agents must be present at the different border posts, it is unclear what they do. “They are supposed to work in collaboration with us, but they are not cooperative”, says Katanga. Damien Nakobedetse responds by explaining that their activities are not always visible in the field by lack of equipment. “That’s why the agents are obliged to send the samples to the BBN headquarters”, he emphasizes.
Trademark East Africa (TMEA) supports BBN with a series of initiatives to establish a regulatory framework for quality standards, upgrading of testing facilities as well as increasing awareness on standards.

TMEA has provided technical assistance to BBN to support the development of legal and regulatory frameworks. It has also granted equipment to facilitate testing. Before, BBN did 14 tests per month while currently the institution is able to process 189 tests.
BBN responsibilities include metrology testing, laboratory services and quality control, promoting quality assurance and management, creating and management of the certification mark, promoting standardization in industry and commerce, preparing or modifying specifications and codes of practice.