By Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe today joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Metrology Day, whose foundation is in the Metre Convention that was signed on the 20th of May 1875 in Paris, France.
This treaty provides the basis for a worldwide coherent measurement system that underpins scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, as well as improving the quality of life and protecting the global environment which Zimbabwe subscribes to.
In joining other nation states in remembering this day, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu has underscored its importance, indicating his Ministry is working on a Metrology legislation as the country moves towards harmonising legal metrology practices to international norms and practices.
“My Ministry is working on the legal Metrology legislation, and construction of the Legal Metrology Bureau, on 2.5 hectares of land at Sunway City, as a way of transforming manual processes and expediting the ease of doing business. Trade Measures is working on an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERPS), among other digitally enabled platforms, said Minister Ndlovu.
He also said it is the responsibility of Governments world over to ensure that the use of weights and measures is done proficiently to mitigate risk of short changing the public such as consumers, packers, the manufacturers and the transporters among other notable players
“It is against this background that Furthermore, the Trade Measures Act requires that measuring instruments used for trade, such as weighing scales, fuel pumps, among other measuring instruments, undergo a process called Type or Pattern Approval. This ensures that the instruments meet the prescribed accuracy and quality standards before they are used for commercial purposes.”
The Minister warned players against non- compliance to legal requirements enforced through Trade Measures Department.
“Non-compliance with legal metrology requirements can result in penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. It should be appreciated that Legal metrology is important as a vehicle for trade facilitation. As you may be aware, incorrect measurement will act as a technical barrier to trade and hinder the free movement of goods and services across frontiers,” he said.
The theme for World Metrology Day 2024 is “Measurements for Sustainability”, speaking to how crucial Metrology is in fostering a sustainable global economy and environment.
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