“The competitiveness of SADC’s good and services hinges on the quality of products and services, which is verified by laboratories, and certification and inspection bodies collectively referred to as conformity assessment bodies (CABs).”
Those were the words of Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Senator Manqoba Khumalo during the handover ceremony of RSSC Agriculture Laboratory Accreditation Certificate at Mhlume Country Club yesterday.
“Not so long ago we were here to witness the handover ceremony of the company’s ISO certificates. This is indeed a great achievement,” the Honourable Minister said.
Khumalo lauded RSSC management for their understanding of the importance of accreditation and also the commitment and support they have given towards this valuable work.
“I would also commend the Agriculture Laboratory staff for their hard work, and dedication. I have been told this is the 6th laboratory to be accredited in Eswatini as well as the first sugar cane agriculture laboratory to achieve the accreditation status in the SADC region,” Khumalo added.
Khumalo further mentioned that RSSC has positioned herself to gain international recognition for its commitment to quality, competency and reliable results.
“Having international recognition allows RSSC products to be recognised with no technical barriers of subjecting their products to be retested anywhere they are sent. For national governments and regulators, accreditation is the preferred mechanism for identifying competent bodies to implement government policies and regulations aimed at safeguarding the public and building public confidence in activities that impact on such fields as health, welfare, and security, the environment, education and financial services.”
According the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, the Kingdom has attained a total of seven accredited facilities.
Meanwhile, Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service CEO Maureen Mutasa said; “The RSSC Agriculture Laboratory is the hundredth conformity assessment body, first agriculture testing laboratory in thirteen SADC member states services by SADCAS and fifth conformity assessment body in Eswatini.”
“Through this accreditation the sugar company’s laboratory has been granted the unique accreditation number TEST-5 0038 indicating that the RSSC Agriculture Laboratory is now accredited testing laboratory in the scope: Chemical Analysis,” Mutasa said.
She added that the laboratory will test in the following methods; determination of mineral elements in plant leaf and irrigation water, determination of electrical conductivity and pH in irrigation water; and determination of brix and sucrose content in cane extract.”
On the other hand, the driver of the RSSC ship, Managing Director Nick Jackson acknowledged with praise the presence of the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Senator Manqoba Khumalo and said; ”The Accreditation is embedded in the Simama 20-20 strategy initiatives which focus on clients perception of the laboratory and an Operational Excellence perspective.”
“Our clients/stakeholders perspective as an internationally recognised laboratory feeds into the narrative that RSSC is committed to producing “High quality sugar and compliance” throughout the value chain from cane growing to final sugar,” Jackson added.
The managing director further lauded the RSSC team especially the Laboratory team that work tirelessly to ensure the success of the accreditation and also the handover ceremony.
RES Corporation P. O. Box 1 Simunye L301
+268 2313 4000
+268 2383 8953
