Cross-border trade raises standard bar for manufacturers

MWANZA: EXPANDING cross-border trade is raising the importance of accuracy in the quantities declared on packaged goods, increasing the need for Tanzanian manufacturers to align with internationally recognised measurement standards.

Geita Regional Manager of the Weights and Measures Agency (WMA), Ms Eva Ikula, said recently that manufacturers and packers need to ensure their products meet internationally recognised measurement requirements as trade with other countries grows.

Speaking yesterday at the WMA pavilion during the ongoing East African Traders Exhibition at Furahisha grounds in Mwanza, Ms Ikula said measurement accuracy has become increasingly important as products enter more competitive markets.

“Packers must ensure that the weight of the products is at an internationally recognised level,” she said.

She said compliance with accepted measurement standards is important for manufacturers supplying both domestic and foreign markets, helping ensure that products meet expectations across different markets.

The country’s participation in international standardisation frameworks also makes it important for manufacturers to align their production and packaging practices with globally accepted requirements, she said.

“It is important to ensure that our products which we sell here or abroad are at international standards,” she stressed.

Accurate measurements not only protect consumers from receiving less than what they pay for, but can also strengthen trust in Tanzanian products and improve their competitiveness in local and international markets, she said.

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For manufacturers, compliance can also reduce disputes over product quantities and strengthen the credibility of packaged goods as companies seek to expand into regional markets.

The push comes as trade between East African countries grows, increasing the need for consistent measurement practices and product standards that can support smoother movement of goods across borders.

For businesses, meeting internationally recognised measurement requirements is increasingly becoming part of competing for consumers beyond Tanzania’s borders. Consistent packaging and accurate product quantities can help manufacturers build stronger brands and avoid disputes in markets where buyers expect products to meet established standards.

The emphasis on measurement accuracy also provides consumers with greater assurance that the quantity stated on a package corresponds with what they receive, supporting fair competition among manufacturers and traders.

A resident of Kirumba Ward, Mr Majura Erasto, who visited the WMA pavilion to learn more about measurement standards, said accurate weighing was important in ensuring consumers receive products that match the value of the money they pay.

He said greater awareness of measurement standards could help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and encourage businesses to maintain accurate packaging practices.

However, he urged the government and relevant authorities to explore ways of reducing cooking-gas prices, saying the cost had become a burden for some consumers.

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