EALA MPs advise on standards legislation

There is need to enforce the law on competition and standards to ensure standardisation and quality of products produced or traded in the region, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has urged.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

There is need to enforce the law on competition and standards to ensure standardisation and quality of products produced or traded in the region, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has urged. The EALA MPs, who were at a public awareness workshop in Kigali recently, argued that this would also expose EAC products and businesses to competition within the community besides creating a conducive business environment.  They added that the move would also enhance the competitiveness of the East Africa Community goods on the world market. The law was established in 2006. The legislators also assessed the status of implementation of the law among the five EAC countries and identified challenges faced while enforcing it. The MPs lauded partner states that have established mechanisms for recognition of national quality marks. Christophe Bazivamo, Rwanda, also said it was encouraging that all EAC partner states had embraced the law and were ready to enforce it.Peter Mathuki, Kenya, called on all member states to support the law as it would ensure healthy and safety of products traded in the region. Clairette Matama, the trade ministry director for competition and consumer protection, however, called for sensitisation of the citizens in partner states about the law to ensure smooth implementation.