A national vision of quality assurance and its central role in building the new Sudan – Something for the homeland – ✍️ Mr. Salah Ghariba
October 14 each year marks a major event on the international agenda. It’s World Standards Day. It is a celebration that is not limited to being an annual tradition, but rather a renewal of commitment to the importance of “standardization” as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development, consumer protection and the promotion of trade. In our Sudanese context, this day acquires a particular national dimension, particularly in light of the current circumstances and the challenges that the country faces on the path to construction and recovery.
The slogan of celebrating World Standards Day has always touched the essence of global challenges, but in Sudan, these slogans translate into ambitious actions and action plans carried out by the Sudan Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO). Given the war that the country is going through and which has affected infrastructure, including quality and metrology infrastructure, the specifications remain the first line of defense for the economy and the consumer, and an indispensable tool to “build back better” and ensure that all efforts in the subsequent reconstruction and construction process are based on a solid foundation of quality and efficiency.
The Sudan Standards and Metrology Authority plays a very important role, as it is not only a regulatory body that ensures the conformity of goods, but rather it is a major driver of development and stability. By publishing Sudanese standard specifications, which seek to be parallel to international specifications, the Authority strives to achieve a number of national objectives:
Consumer protection and national economy: The specifications are the standard which guarantees the safety and health of citizens and the environment. By examining imported and local products and goods in accredited laboratories, the Authority ensures that harmful or non-compliant products are not introduced or marketed, and limits the phenomenon of commercial fraud, a role that becomes doubly important in times of crisis to protect people’s rights.
Promote exports and improve competitiveness: Sudanese products cannot compete in global and regional markets without quality certification and global recognition. Standard specifications constitute the passport for exports. They give national products a competitive advantage and confirm to the world that the “Made in Sudan” product is synonymous with quality and compliance with international technical requirements. The Authority’s efforts in this regard include preparation and completion of critical projects such as the unified window for gold exports, standardization and simplification of procedures.
Supporting digital transformation and sustainable development: Today, specifications have become a tool enabling digital transformation, establishing standards that ensure optimal exploitation of smart technology, facilitating basic transactions and computerizing business documents, saving effort, time and money and directly contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite the challenges imposed by war conditions and the destruction of infrastructure, the Sudan Standards and Metrology Authority has demonstrated flexibility and determination to continue providing its vital services, particularly in the areas of import control and local production, as well as measurement and calibration (metrology). This emphasis reflects a national vision that aims to build a strong Sudan whose exports are competitive in global markets and provide a strong gateway to high-quality imports.
On the occasion of World Standards Day, we must understand that the entire standardization system is based on the principle of cooperation. This is why today’s call is for solidarity and cooperation between all partners, from the government, the private sector and consumers, to support the Authority in its efforts to develop quality infrastructure and disseminate its culture to become a way of life. Specifications are not mere papers, but rather a culture of perfection and a guarantee for the future, and if we want to be proud of the slogan “Made in Sudan”, we must ensure that this slogan is placed only on a product that meets the highest specifications and technical requirements.
Celebrating this day is an opportunity to highlight that the specifications constitute the cornerstone and fundamental factor of the construction and reconstruction phase in post-war Sudan, and constitute a compass that directs our efforts towards stability, economic recovery and the desired prosperity. Let us work together, with a common vision, to build a modern, strong and productive Sudan that enjoys the world’s trust in the quality of its products.
