Rwanda Standards Board (RSB)’s quality testing Laboratories have acquired an international accreditation, which will consequently facilitate local laboratories to offer more trusted services, especially in biochemical laboratories.
The latest international accreditation to Rwanda’s national quality testing laboratories was granted by the Dutsch Accreditation Council (RvA), the National Accreditation Body for The Netherlands and one of global leading accreditation bodies.
The accredited labs covered by the new accreditation include Microbiology laboratory, Food, Agriculture and Mycotoxin Laboratory and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, according to RSB.
Michel Minega Sebera, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, told Sunday Times that the accreditation exercise began three years ago, with several assessments being made before the Netherlands Accreditation Body (RVA) confirmed it.
"This is an attestation that RSB is credible and competent internationally to provide (trusted) testing services. It is an exercise that we started 3 years back and it consist of several assessment done by the Netherlands Accreditation Body (RVA),” Sebera said.
His comments were echoed by Raymond Murenzi, Director General of RSB. He said that the international accreditation is a great step towards ensuring the quality of services offered by the national testing laboratories.
"We are happy for that important achievement by our quality testing laboratories. Laboratory accreditation is the basis for attesting that you offer internationally recognized and trusted testing services and that test results generated are trusted,” Murenzi is quoted as saying.
He added, "It also ensures our customers that our testing laboratories offer services in accordance to International Standards.”
Raymond Murenzi, Director General of Rwanda Standards Board. Courtesy.
The accreditation of RSB National Quality Testing Laboratories covers significant test restrictions for food and feed products, environment samples and drinking water.
According to the statement, Murenzi also noted that accreditation of RSB quality testing laboratories will "greatly contribute in the promotion and competitiveness of Made-In-Rwanda products, especially those exported to regional and international markets.”
Anataria Karimba, Director of Export Capability at TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) described the feat as a "milestone” and that it would facilitate a greater market access for local products.
"Congratulations on this milestone,” Karimba tweeted, adding, "TradeMarkEastA is proud to have supported this initiative aimed at improving efficiency of testing services, accessibility to product testing and facilitating greater market access for Rwandan products.”
Laboratory testing of products ensure, that consumers are protected from hazards to their health, improved quality and reliability and safety, and, that consumers have easier access to and greater choice in goods and services, among other benefits.
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