ISO to recall certificates over decline in standards

By Agnes Nantambi

The international organisation for standardisation (ISO) is to recall certificates of organisations and companies in Uganda that fail to sustain international standards.

Dr. Sundar Kataria, the chairman and managing director of the international certification services, said Uganda has over 100 local companies and organisation that have been certified but there is fear that some of them might decline in standards.

Speaking after certifying Uganda Clays Ltd., Kataria warned that being certified by ISO, an international body, means maintaining the standard or losing the certificate.

“We want companies and organisations to comply with the standards so that they can continue to enjoy the international market whose requirement is majorly based on quality standard and good management,” he said.

He observed that many Ugandan firms have started adapting to international standards, meaning that local products are accepted on the international market.

Kataria said ISO is now moving towards certifying medical and education services.

He, however, urged Ugandan companies to continue producing new products if they are to remain in the market, saying companies today do not survive long due to lack of innovation.

Eng. Martin Kasekende, the Uganda Clays acting executive director, said the achievement did not come easy, adding that the company is determined to sustain the production of quality.

“As a commitment to our vision, we have defined strategies towards its realisation, one of which was to undertake the development and implementation of quality management systems according to ISO standards,” he said.

The Uganda Clays chairman, Dr. Martin Aliker, warned companies against counterfeiting Uganda Clays products.