Rwanda Parliament Flags Major Gaps in Quality Certification Process

Businesses seeking quality certification face delays of up to three years, excess charges and gaps in product inspections, a parliamentary review of the Auditor General's report has found. The parliamentary Committee on Economy and Trade also found delays of up to 186 days in laboratory testing and the release of results, as well as cases where certified products were not inspected as required during the validity of their certificates. The findings raise concerns about the impact of the certification process on businesses, particularly those seeking to introduce new products to the market. ALSO READ: Standards body withdraws S-Mark for over 80 alcoholic beverages Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines Applications delayed for years Of 992 certification requests reviewed, 507 were delayed at the assessment stage, with delays ranging from 30 to 1,032 days. Among 226 applications that contained all the required information, 127 were delayed before applicants were issued quality standard certificates. The delays in these cases ranged from 31 to 859 days. The committee said prolonged delays can postpone the introduction of new products and increase costs for businesses waiting to enter the market. Applicants not told why requests failed The review also found weaknesses in communication with applicants whose requests did not result in certification. Of 131 requests received between 2022 and 2025, 110 had no documented explanation showing why applicants were not issued quality standard certificates. The Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) attributed the communication gaps partly to limitations in its existing system, with information mainly communicated through emails and telephone calls. Businesses charged above prescribed fees Some businesses were also charged more than the fees prescribed under the relevant ministerial order. Of 163 small and medium enterprises reviewed, 161 were charged a combined Rwf46.28 million above the prescribed amount. Among 20 large enterprises, 16 were charged a combined Rwf6.05 million in excess fees. ALSO READ: Quality experts' body planned to raise industry standards The Ministry of Trade and Industry said the problem was partly caused by the absence of a clear system for determining the size of an enterprise when applying certification fees. A new arrangement involving RSB, the Rwanda Revenue Authority and Irembo is expected to use taxpayers' identification numbers to determine an enterprise's category and the applicable fee. The review found that required inspections were not always conducted at factories where certified products are manufactured. Between July 2022 and June 2023, 360 certified products were reviewed, but the required inspections had not been carried out for 162 of them. Market surveillance was also found to be inadequate. Of the same 360 certified products reviewed, 220 had not been inspected during the validity of their certificates. RSB said staff shortages and inadequate funding for surveillance activities across the country contributed to the gaps. Laboratory testing takes months Laboratory services were another major source of delays. Under the required procedure, laboratories should conduct tests within seven days of receiving samples and communicate results to clients within 24 hours after they become available. ALSO READ: What harmonized standard certification means for industries However, 35 of the 55 companies reviewed, or 64 per cent, experienced delays in testing and receiving results. The delays ranged from 15 to 186 days. The Private Sector Federation said the delays affect production planning, increase storage costs and can postpone the launch of new products. Delays in S-Mark certification The parliamentary review also identified delays in the S-Mark certification process. Applicants are expected to correct identified deficiencies within 10 working days. Contracts should be signed within three working days after a decision, while the certification decisio