REMARKS MADE BY HRH PRINCESS TSANZILE, MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY ON THE OFFICIAL SWAZILAND WATER SERVICES CORPORATION LABORATORY ISO 17025:2005 ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATE HANDOVER
Honourable Members of Parliament
Swaziland Water Services CorporationBoard members
SANAS Officials
SWSC Management and staff
Members of the Media
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me express my appreciation at being invited to this important occasion where one of Government’s Companies SWSC is receiving international standards accreditation. This is a proud moment for Swaziland Water Services Corporation, but also a very proud moment for Government.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I say this is a proud moment for Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) because I have been told that the accreditation they are receiving for their laboratory today, is the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world. Laboratories that are accredited to this international standard have demonstrated that they are technically competent, and able to produce precise and accurate tests and/or calibration data. So with this accreditation we know that the Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) laboratory is in the world class rank.
I further wish to congratulate Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) on being pro-active in its business practices. Accreditation is a voluntary third party-reviewed process. No one forced Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) to seek accreditation, but it is evident that the Corporation is customer-centric, forward looking and seeks to provide world class services.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When His Majesty the King recently launched the Investor Roadmap he highlighted how we are living in an era where global competition for foreign direct investment is ever more intense. And that countries are continuously positioning themselves through targeted improvements to be more attractive to investors. His Majesty left the onus on us; government and private sector to turn the challenges that exist into opportunities. With such developments, where we are able to provide world class services, we are indeed rising to this challenge.
Proof to that, as just mentioned by the Board chairperson, recently the Corporation received various ISO certifications (ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001) at Matsapha, Simunye and Woodlands Water Treatment Plants, which have all been tremendous achievements and indeed SWSC deserves to be applauded for this great accomplishment.
I am aware that Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) is not resting on her current achievements but work is already underway for the implementation of quality management systems at some of Swaziland Water Services Corporation’s Treatment Plants, with the intention to receive ISO 9001 certification. I have no doubt that the accredited lab will play a pivotal role in supporting the quality management systems at these plants as we surge towards closing the loop in Swaziland Water Services Corporation’s integrated quality management. This will not only benefit Swaziland Water Services Corporation but all beneficiaries of Swaziland Water Services Corporation’s products and services.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The global trend is towards a free market with no economic trade barriers, allowing for free movement of goods and interchange of services. Such a situation can only be consummated when technical barriers to trade are also eliminated.
For this to occur the trading countries must have confidence in the quality and environmental systems, personnel and product certification and inspection systems, as well as the measurements and tests conducted by each other.
The World Trade Organisation and the European Union (EU) both have noted that the lack of acceptance of test results and certification, are the most significant non-tariff barriers to trade.
Accreditation of laboratories/inspection bodies and certification bodies, using common standards and practices is seen as the most effective way of defeating these barriers. To this end major trading countries have established independent, and internationally credible accreditation bodies.
At the apex of the world accreditation pyramid is the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, and the International Accreditation Forum, both of which SANAS is a member.
This objective is being accomplished through the establishment of a world-wide network of national accreditation bodies, which will through Multilateral Agreements eventually to ensure that the competence of certification bodies, inspection bodies and laboratories (testing and calibration) are assessed on the same principles, regardless of where in the world they are located. These assessments are based on the harmonised ISO standards.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The SANAS accreditation that SWSC is receiving today gives formal recognition that the SWSC Laboratory test facilities are competent to carry out specific tasks. We know that the clients of the laboratory now rest assured of the quality of the laboratory output.
In conclusion,
I take this time to congratulate the SWSC Board, Management and Staff of SWSC for the good work. I wish you all the best as you strive to implement the quality management systems. I affirm Government’s support to this endeavour.
I thank you