Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) CEO, Ms. Eve Christine Gadzikwa, attended a significant milestone event for the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) Certification Services Unit, held on the 27th May 2025 at the BOBS Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.
BOBS Certification Services Unit began its accreditation journey in 2015, facing numerous challenges along the way. These were ultimately overcome when SADCAS officially granted accreditation on 3 March 2025. The unit has been accredited for Quality Management Systems Certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021:2015 and ISO/IEC 17021-3:2017. It has been assigned the unique accreditation number QMS-CERT 007, signifying its recognized that it is now an internationally recognized facility.
The accreditation ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Honourable Tiroane Ntsima, and attended by senior government officials, the Clerk of the National Assembly, heads of government departments, and representatives from parastatals such as the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Botswana Trade Commission, Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU), as well as various exhibitors.
In his keynote address, Honourable Ntsima emphasized the critical role of accreditation in all types of services, particularly for Conformity Assessment Bodies involved in testing, inspection, calibration, and certification. He noted that accreditation serves as an attestation of a service provider’s competence. Most importantly, he highlighted that SADCAS accreditation places BOBS among globally recognized certification bodies, thereby enhancing the international credibility of BOBS-certified products and services, boosting competitiveness, and facilitating access to global markets.
Ms. Gadzikwa congratulated BOBS on this significant achievement, noting that the accreditation process is rigorous and reflects BOBS’s commitment to maintaining high-quality standards. She also commended the Government of Botswana for its efforts in expanding the accreditation landscape, which demonstrates the country’s dedication to strengthening its quality infrastructure and embracing the benefits of accreditation. As of 31 March 2025, Botswana boasts 37 accredited facilities, including the BOBS Certification Services Unit.
