This year’s theme for World Standards Day. “International Standards, Creating Confidence Globally” brings more to the fore, the issue of accreditation. This is a second level of confidence that any inspection or test results pertaining to a product or a service meets specified requirements. This theme finds SWASA in the process of finalizing the SWASA certification program and preparing herself for accreditation. In the business of standards and quality, it is imperative for any national standards body to always be conscious of any negative ramifications that may have an impact on the “Confidence” that should come with any certification that it issues. As SWASA celebrates World Standards Day this year, there are many issues that need to be addressed on the Swazi market place, which as it is appears are still due to lack of standardisaton. These include the roll-out of the “Buy Swazi” Campaign; the standardization of indigenous products that claim medicinal properties; sub-standard building materials and the myriad of electric products that give our consumers headaches everyday.

Two Swaziland Standards Authority (SWASA) staff members made the country proud by scooping 1st and 2nd prize in an international essay writing competition. The competition was organised by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and targeted young standardisers in developing countries. Its purpose was to mobilise the enthusiasm of young standardisers in the targeted countries as well as to raise awareness of the importance of standards in promoting safe and sustainable development.