105 Ethiopian Standards Approved

The standards which were prepared on methods of statistical data processing and analyzing, sugar and sugar products, chemical industry products and hospital waste handling and sanitary practices have been approved by the Board of Management of Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) on 9 March 2004.
It is hoped that these standards, if implemented properly, would help the concerned manufacturing and service industries in order to raise the level of quality of their products and services and eventually promote their business profits by strengthening their degree of competitiveness. Besides, it is also believed that the standards would contribute to ensuring the health and safety of the consumers.

Following this we would like to remind our stakeholders and service users to show interest and put their maximum efforts to implementing the standards in order to withstand challenges of growing liberalization and global competition. Handling and satisfying your customers should be your primary target. This can be realized through building your customers confidence by supplying them quality products and services.

The Training at CCFRA said to Increase QSAE's Testing competence

Intended to promote the capability of laboratories for analyzing pesticide residues and toxins in foods and agricultural products that enter international market to satisfy requirements of the current international agreement, a training at Campden and Chorelywood Food Research Association Group (CCFRA) of the UK was held from 26 January to 13 February 2004.
Based on the privilege of financial assistance offered by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to QSAE three professionals drawn from the Testing Laboratories Group Ato Amha Bekele, Ato Hirpa Abu and W/ro Genet G/Medhin, have participated in the training that was held in and which consisted of Laboratory management and techniques of Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC) for analytical works.It is indicated that the training would enable the trainees to put into effect the use of high tech instruments, which QSAE has procured and installed in its Chemical Testing Laboratories, Instrumental Analysis Section. Application of the skills obtained during the training would help to raise the level of competence of the laboratory to undertake the analysis of pesticide residues, and mycotoxin contaminants through the use of HPLC and GC, says the report.
A further statement of the trainees remarks that beside consumer safety in general when the service goes into full operation, the laboratory will have the capability to support the export and import trade activities of Ethiopia through the provision of reliable test results that would also help QSAE for its customers' confidence building and satisfaction.
In a related event Ato Yoseph Abebe, a testing expert from the same laboratory has participated in a workshop on proficiency testing for water quality which was held in Windhoek, Namibia from 23 to 27 February 2004.The Workshop, intended to reinforce the process of setting up a proficiency scheme for water testing for laboratories in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region was organized by SADCMET (Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Measurement Traceability) and PTB (Physichalische Technische Bundesansalt) of Germany.

World Standards Day celebrated on October 14

World Standards Day which is celebrated every year on the 14th of October has been celebrated this year for the 34th time that took place locally at the Head Office of QSAE in a more fascinating manner than ever before.
An Exhibition, which was one of the major events of the "Quality Week", was organized and organizations which are granted to use the Quality Mark of QSAE have participated. The exhibition which is the first of its kind in Ethiopia, intended to improve the peoples' broader participation and awareness of quality was opened by his excellency Ato Hailemelekot Teklegeiorgis, State Minister of Capacity Building and, Chairman of the Board of Management of QSAE.

The state Minister His excellency Ato Haile Melekot delivering a speech during the celebration of World Standards Day.
The State Minister in his speech during the opening ceremony, indicated that QSAE has shown improvement since its restructuring in 1998, and at present it is contributing its share in the country's effort to achieve improved economic and social progress.
The State Minister also said that the Poverty Reduction and Agriculture Led Industrial Development Strategies could be effective in order to promote our key business strategy of Export Led Industrial Development only through achieving a competitive degree of quality of agricultural and industrial products.
In the preceding speech of the opening ceremony of the World Standards Day celebration, Ato Deressa Fufa, the Quality Certification Director of QSAE, said that every year a slogan which reflects the timely global tendency in social and economic progress is chosen, and this year's slogan is "Global Standards for the Global Information Society". Referring to the slogan's message Ato Deressa emphasized the value of information and the technologies it requires in order to benefit from it through minimization of cost, technology transfer and wide market opportunity. He also noted that the country's anticipated development can be realized only if there is an efficient means to avail the necessary information through effective use of international standards.

Quality Certification Director of QSAE Ato Deresa emphasized the value of Global Standards on the occasion.
Besides, Ato Deressa noted that the participants of the exhibition i.e. those organizations that are licensed to use Quality Mark were uniquely arranged to accompany the events of the "Quality Week". This action by itself would tempt the rest which are not licensees to increase their efforts in order to achieve certification of a third party, like QSAE. This again would help them to strengthen their capacity in market competition.
End of the day's celebration was marked by the guests' visit to the exhibition displays and the various laboratories of QSAE. The exhibition display and variety of other events including mass media coverage and entertainment programs continued from 14-18 October 2003.
QSAE branches operating in various parts of the country also celebrated the Day in different activities.

Ethiopia to Host International Coffee Meeting

Ethiopia, recognized as the home of coffee
Chosen to host an ISO /TC/SC meeting - the first of its kind to be held in Ethiopia.

An international coffee meeting, 15th ISO/TC 34/SC 15 "Coffee Meeting", organized by Cuban National Committee for Coffee in collaboration with the technical committee of ISO-ISO/TC34/SC15 which delt with the subject of Systematic Revision of International Coffee Standards & Establishing New Standards was held in Havana, Cuba, 20-21 May 2003.

Participants were coffee scientists and quality and standards specialists from their respective coffee institutions, standards bodies and research institutions who are members of the ISO Technical Committee represented from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ethiopia, France, Jamaica, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

While meeting is going on in Havana

The major objective was to discuss the issues of:

• The need of periodic revision of existing International Standards and establishing additional new International Standards
• Promoting world coffee trade by providing implementable International Standards
• Means to avoid technical barriers to trade on the world coffee market by harmonizing the interests of both producing and consumer countries.

According to Ato Zerihun Tessema, Head of Standards Group of QSAE who represented QSAE in the meeting, the participants have recognized Ethiopia as the home of coffee and agreed that the country deserves to host such a meeting. He also noted that the Committee has decided to accept Ethiopia's request to host the 16th regular meeting of ISO/TC34/SC15 coffee to be held in September 2004, and it would be a good opportunity for the popularization of Ethiopian Coffee.

Deadline Marked for the Use of leaded Gasoline

A two-day workshop intended to promote the National Action Plan and phase out leaded gasoline, organized by the Ethiopian Petroleum Enterprise in collaboration with World Bank was held 12-13 June 2003.

The main objective of the workshop was to discuss issues of designing technical means for fuel quality improvement and its impact on health and urban environment.

According to Ato Behailu Aferu, Standards expert of Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) who participated in the workshop, implementing the Action Plan can be effective through the use of standards, and QSAE is presently sorting the existing standards in order to select those which are appropriate for unleaded gasoline while working to produce replacement for some of the withdrawn standards of leaded gasoline. He also noted that the deadline for importing leaded gasoline will be 30 June 2003.

Starting 1 July 2003 only unleaded gasoline will be imported and it is estimated that the leaded gasoline will be flashed out within the next six months (i.e. until Dec. 2003). Ato Behailu further said that Ethiopia will be free from leaded gasoline starting from 1 January 2004, and according to the World Bank implementation of the Action Plan would make Ethiopia the first Sub Saharan African Country to totally eliminate the use of leaded gasoline. Unleaded gasoline will enable the importation of vehicles with catalytic convertor that produce lower exhaust emissions to permit improvement in urban air quality

Ato Gashaw Workneh, the Quality Manager of QSAE, and project leader during the development of the standards, noted that because of special emphasis given to the subject by QSAE and various stakeholders, formulation of Ethiopian Standards for fuels has been the priority area of standardization and the standards have already been set and approved. However, said Ato Gashaw, following this approval, it is going to be mainly a matter of implementing the relevant standards, and this requires determined effort by the responsible party for the realization of the intended purpose.

Training on QMS and Related Topics Held at QSAE

A training programme intended to promote Quality Management System and other related issues among the Management Committee members and various Division Heads of QSAE was held here at the Head Office, 17 March - 3 April 2003.

The Programme, jointly organized by Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) and South African Quality Institute (SAQI) was based on the signed agreement when QSAE was granted membership to SAQI, earlier this Year. It is hoped that the training would contribute to QSAE's capacity building effort for the implementation of its quality objective.
Mr. Roger G.G. and Mr. T. Siala from SAQI gave the training which focussed on topics related to Vendor Accreditation, Business Plan, Change Management, Interaction Management, etc and was highly appreciated by the participants.

Partial view of the training participants

QSAE Participated in the Seminar and Training Organized by WTO

QSAE is playing its part in the national technical committee responsible for the drafting of Memorandum of the Foreign Trade Regime to be submitted by all WTO accessing countries. A training programme organized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, 05-18 May 2003 to assist the national committee in developing the said document.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry coordinated participants drawn from QSAE and various government organizations to participate in the training programme. The programme mainly emphasized among others accession process, accession negotiation techniques, case study of an accessing country and related issues
Preceding this was a seminar held in Windhoek, Namibia, 25-27 February 2003 where English-speaking African countries, including Ethiopia thoroughly dealt with the case of the Agreement on Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT). QSAE represented Ethiopia in the seminar and Ato Mesai Girma, the Director General of QSAE and Ato Alemayehu Belete, Director of Standards and Metrology of QSAE were the participants.

During the seminar, a country report was presented by the participants from QSAE on the topic "Experiences in the use of international standards and the participation in activities" in which the particular topic was assigned to QSAE by the seminar organizers.

Both the seminar and the training gave the participants the opportunity to establish contacts and also gain experiences.

A High Delegation Led by the Director General Visits South Africa

A delegation team of Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) led by Ato Messai Girma, the Director General of QSAE, made a work visit to South Africa, 21 April - 8 May 2003.

The main objective of the visit was strengthening of the bilateral relationship established between QSAE and SAQI (South African Quality Institute) and to promote its multidimensional cooperation for the implementation of Progrmmes.

Meanwhile, a training programme intended to promote Quality Management System and other related issues, previously held here in Addis, 17 March -3 April 2003 at the Head Office of QSAE continued in South Africa during the time of the work visit.

Participants of this first round of the training programme, were members of the trainee group of QSAE for whom the subject of the training has direct relevance.

The training emphasized Quality Management System, Strategic Planning, adopting of the Principles of Quality Management System to solve management problems and others.

Based on the agreement established between QSAE and SAQI, training of the experts of QSAE dealing with Food Quality and Safety will also be held in South Africa in the very near future.

QSAE Preparing the Ground for International Accreditation

Intending to promote the implementation of its strategic plan to be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, QSAE organized a training program, held at the Head Office, 5-8 November 2002.

The Program emphasized general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and experts from South African National Accreditation Systems (SANAS) gave the training for the participants drawn from the testing and metrological laboratories and other relevant areas of responsibility of QSAE.

Guest trainers from SANAS - Mr. John Peart
and Mrs. Marie Shilcott carrying out the trarining

Earlier to this, the laboratory was assessed for the adequacy of its document system and equipments as well as competent manpower and then followed by a training program organized in collaboration with the UNIDO, held 23-26 September 2002. Participants were from QSAE and various food processing industries as well as regulatory bodies. The main objective of the training was broadening the concept of food safety and quality which would ultimately lay foundation for the establishment of a national food control practice.

The participants recommended an urgent need to form a National Food Control Body whose members shall be picked from various concerned Ministries, industries and other groups to facilitate smooth and effective means of addressing food quality and safety. Such body could play a major role in serving as a National Codex Committee, maintaining the relationship with the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the WHO/FAO and actively participate in globalization issues to harness the benefits to the Ethiopian food industry.

Chinese Delegation Conferred with QSAE's Heads

Chinese delegation conferred with QSAE's Heads on Quality and Standards of the textile sector, at QSAE's Head Office on 10 January 2003.

Ato Mesai Girma, QSAE's Director General, briefed the delegation team on the activities of QSAE in general and on the standards of the textile sector in particular.

The two parties discussed issues concerning quality and exchanged experience of their role as members of ISO, and the implementation of International Standards in their respective countries. In addition to this, questions raised by the team on how textile standards are maintained, the development of standards at company level, and standards for environmental protection, etc. were addressed by the Director General.

After the discussion, the delegation visited QSAE's testing and calibration laboratories and expressed their satisfaction with the briefing and the visit which they said it will strengthen the relation of the two countries to work together more on Quality and Standards.

QSAE Becomes Member of SAQI, Signs Cooperation Program with NML-CSIR

The Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) became member of the South African Quality Institute (SAQI) and is awarded a certificate of Pledge to Quality.

According to Ato Alemayehu Belete and Taddele Kumie Directors of the Standards and Metrology and Quality Promotion and Training respectively, the Pledge to Quality shows that as member of the South African Quality Institute, the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia is committed to serve its customers and uphold the principles of Quality in all it does. The Pledge to Quality signed by Ato Mesai Girma, Director General of QSAE, and Mr. Roney Ndala, CEO: SAQI, on 24 January 2003, requires the commitment to accomplish the principles of quality stated in the certificate with the details under core values of quality and approach to quality. QSAE's membership of SAQI gives it the right to use the Institute's logo

In a related development, QSAE and the National Metrology Laboratory of South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (NML-CSIR) have signed cooperation program on Quality System and Calibration Methods Development and Training.

The cooperation program was signed on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed on the 16th of April 2002 between the two parties.

The objective of the cooperation is to provide QSAE with the necessary technical knowledge and skill for establishing an appropriate laboratory quality management system and calibration procedures/ methods, calibration standards and measuring instruments, and also providing on-the-job training concerning the areas mentioned in this agreement. The ultimate objective is to assist the metrology and calibration laboratories of QSAE achieve international accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025.

QSAE's High Delegation Led by State Minister Haile-Melekot visits Standards Bodies in Different Countries

• Signed MoU with BSI, SII and SAQI

QSAE's officials led by State Minister His Excellency Ato Haile-Melekot T/Giorgis and Chairman of QSAE's Board of Management visited Standards Institutes in Britain, Israel and South Africa and signed Memorandum of Understanding with each Institute in February and March, 2003.

The main objective of the visit is to have attachment with such internationally recognized National Standards Bodies as the British Standards Institute (BSI), the Standards Institution of Israel (SII) and the South African Quality Institute (SAQI) which enables QSAE to carry out its duties competently.

The picture shows QSAE's delegation with the director and members of the Standards Institution of Israel
The visit and the Memorandum of Understanding would help QSAE to exchange information, get technical assistance and establish effective training and quality promotion practices in the Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises (SMMEs), corporate and government departments in Ethiopia.

The applications of sound training and quality promotion activities are critically vital for industries to improve the quality of their products and services in order to upgrade their competitiveness.

His excellency Ato Haile-Melekot T/Giorgis, and Ato Mesai Girma, Director General of QSAE, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of QSAE while the Directors Mr. David Lazenby, Mrs. Zira Patir and Mr. Roney Ndala of BSI, SII and SAQI respectively signed on behalf of their Institutes.

Ato Alemayehu Belete and Ato Deressa Fufa, Directors of QSAE's Standards and Metrology and Quality Certification respectively were also members of the delegation.

National Codex Committee Established

A committee which would help implement the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Ethiopia was established on 10 March 2003 at Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE), Head Office, in Addis Ababa.

Participants of the establishment meeting who represented various organizations that are directly or indirectly involved in food issues and safety were briefed on the importance of a Codex Committee by Ato Gashaw Workneh, the Quality Manager of QSAE. Ato Gashaw pointed that the absence of such a committee in the country still now has deprived the opportunity of getting aid from the aforementioned international bodies.

Meeting of the establishment of National Codex Committee

taking place at QSAE

After having discussed thoroughly on the need to establish a committee and the benefit Ethiopia could earn from, a consensus was reached to establish the committee, and then the participants elected Dr. Yalemtsehay Makonnen, Associate Professor of Biology at the Addis Ababa University, as chairperson of the established National Codex Committee for the duration that complies with the rule of Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Board of Management of QSAE approved the establishment and composition of the committee as well as the unanimous decision passed by the committee members that QSAE be the National Codex Contact Point.

Ethiopian Standards Approved

The latest approved and published Ethiopian Standards are 60 standards on (a) spices and condiments, and (b) safety matches. These standards were approved on 2002 March 08 by the Board of Management of QSAE.

More information on the approved Ethiopian Standards is given in the ''Ethiopian Standards'' section of this site. See also Supplement 1 of 2002 ES Catalogue, PDF 285 KB for a comprehensive list of the above newly approved standards.

Training/Seminar/Workshop

• Introduction to Quality and ISO 9000 Quality Management System, 2001 October 25 - 26

This two-day seminar was organized by QSAE with the following objectives.

• To provide a foundation in all aspects of integrated standardization i.e. Quality, Standards, Metrology, Testing.
• To discuss different development stages in Quality and analyse the present situation at the national and organizational level as regards integrated standardization activities.
• To provide good understanding of quality improvement and cost reduction techniques.
• To provide information on interpretation and implementation of ISO 9000:2000 requirements.

The topics covered were:

• Definition of Quality, misconception and perception on quality in developing countries
• Aims and principles of standardization
• Basics of metrology
• Certification - Definition and types
• ISO 9000:2000 elements and implementation modalities
• QSAE in brief

• Environmental Management and ISO 14000, 2001 October 11-12

This seminar was organized by ISO/NORAD/QSAE, which is one of a series of seminars conducted in cooperation with ISO Programme for Developing Countries. The seminar addressed issues concerned with:

• Man and the environment
• Environment management systems and ISO 14000
• Life cycle assessment - Principles, legislation and methodology
• Environmental performance evaluation
• Audit and certification of environment management systems
• Environmental labelling

The following resource persons offered their services as lecturers at the seminar:

• Dr. Anwar EI-Tawil, Director ISO Programme for Developing Countries.
• Mr. Aage Hammerstad, Principal Consultant Safety and the Environment, Scandpower, Norway.

QSAE Member of IEC Affiliate Country Programme

The Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia has been accepted as a participant of the International Electrotehnical Commission (IEC) Affiliate Country Programme effective June 2002.

Some of the benefits of participation in the IEC Affiliate Country Programme for QSAE are the following without the financial burden of actual IEC membership.

• Accessing/obtaining IEC technical documents in electronic format;
• Opportunity to participate in IEC's three conformity assessment schemes;
• Potential mechanism for representative rights through the Affiliate Country Forum;
• Obtain info on guidance on how to establish a National Committee of the IEC, how to track technical projects etc.

QSAE Gained Associate Membership in SADCMET

The Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia has become accepted as an associate member of Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Measurement Traceability (SADCMET) effective 11 April 2002.

SADCMET coordinates metrology activities and services in the SADC Region, in order to provide regional calibration and testing services, including regulatory bodies, with readily available traceability to the SI units of measurement, through legally defined and regionally and internationally recognized national measurement standards.

The benefits of membership in SADCMET, among others, are:

• Participating in regional measurement inter-comparisons (maintain regional/international traceability);
• Involvement in training on metrology;
• Possibility of joining regional and international Mutual Recognition Agreements;
• Obtaining info that will help QSAE in its quest for accreditation in the metrology area.

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QSAE/NML-CSIR Memorandum of Understanding Signed

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on April 16, 2002 between the Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) and the National Metrology Laboratory of the South Africa (NML-CSIR) on technical cooperation in metrology. This first international cooperation of its kind made by QSAE is a major milestone in the Authority's service quality improvement efforts, namely, achieving international recognition in the area of metrology.

More information on QSAE international involvement in metrology (membership, Memorandum of Understanding signed etc) is given in the ''Metrology'' section of this site.

Approved Ethiopian Standards

1) Ethiopian Standards approved on 2001 Oct. 04

Four Ethiopian Standards on net content of prepackages and labeling were approved on 2001 Oct. 04 by the Board of Management of QSAE as indicated in the table below.

• Project title	Responsible technical committee (TC)	Total Number of approved standard
  Labeling and net content in prepackaged products (It covers standards on net content and labelling requirements in prepackaged products, casks and barrels, and rules for rounding off numerical values.)	TC 8	4

2) Ethiopian Standards approved on 2001 June 27

728 Ethiopian Standards were approved on 2001 June 27 by the Board of Management of QSAE. The list of approved standards grouped by projects/product categories is as follows.

• Project title	Responsible technical committee (TC)	Total Number of approved standard
  1 Vehicles marking	TC 1	1
  2 Paper sizes	TC 1	11
  3 Quality Management and Quality Assurance - Guidelines for training	TC 1	1
  4 HACCP	TC 2	1
  5 Milk and milk products	TC 2	98
  6 Coffee	TC 2	23
  7 Mineral waters	TC 2	40
  8 Cereals and pulses	TC 2	43
  9 Tea	TC 2	43
  10 Tyres	TC 5	8
  11 Ethanol	TC 5	19
  12 Sulphuric acid and oleum	TC 5	17
  13 Sodium carbonate	TC 5	11
  14 Sodium hydroxide	TC 5	14
  15 Fuel ethanol	TC 5	40
  16 Pictorial markings	TC 9	1
  17 Drinking water	TC 9	32
  18 Environmental management systems	TC 9	17
  19 Labeling	TC 2	1
  20 Edible salt	TC 2	13
  21 Edible oils	TC 2	25
  22 Weights and measures	TC 8	4
  23 Masonry units	TC 3	1
  24 Fertilizers	TC 2	31
  25 Soaps and detergents	TC 5	20
  26 SI Units	TC 1	1
  27 Building lime	TC 3	10
  27.1 Clay	TC 3	2
  27.2 Cotton	TC 7	33
  27.3 Fruits and vegetables	TC 2	50
  27.4 Glass	TC 3	8
  27.5 Leather	TC 7	29
  27.6 Nonalcoholic beverages	TC 2	21
  27.7 Oil cakes	TC 2	7
  27.8 Oil seeds	TC 2	8
  27.9 Polymeric products	TC 7	9
  27.10 Raw hides and skins	TC 7	10
  27.11 Wines	TC 2	25
  GRAND TOTAL		728

More information on the approved Ethiopian Standards is given in the ''Ethiopian Standards'' section of this site.

Meeting Held with Stakeholders to Discuss QSAE's Strategic Plann

A meeting organized by Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) with its major stakeholders which was held on 17 July 2003 at the Head Office discussed on the matters of the draft strategic plan prepared by the Authority.
In response to the call made for meeting in order to encourage the private sector participation in the discussion on strategic planning of the Authority and to bring about a shared vision, significant number of representatives and company owners, representatives of government organizations and professional associations as well as the Ethiopian and Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce have participated.
Ato Messai Girma, the Director General of QSAE, who chaired the meeting has answered and elaborated questions raised by the participants. Among the important suggestions by the participants were the need to strengthen public awarness for quality, training, capacity building, international links and others. Of the topics discussed, the issue of international accreditation and its impacts was the major one which has been underscored. Thus, it was proposed that additional effort including the involvement of stakeholders to upgrade the capacity of QSAE's effectiveness and enhance activities that are underway for its accreditation should be given special attention.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Ato Messai noted that the work of standardization can only be fruitful through active involvement of the private stakeholders, and hence integration of their activities with the activities of QSAE is of vital importance. He also appreciated the proposals of the participants, and remarked that they are important inputs to make the final draft of the document.

COMESA Organizes a Workshop on Harmonization of Standards

A workshop organized by COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) to lay the ground for the harmonization of standards, intended to promote effective trade interaction, was held in Zambia, Lussaka, on September 1 and 2, 2003.
During the workshop, the participants represented from member countries mainly dealt with the issue of Trade and Development Agreements in which practical implementation of standards was emphasized to be the basis of these agreements, and harmonization of the standards to bring a common benefit for all the members. COMESA has a membership of 20 countries from Eastern and Southern Africa.
Ato Messai Girma, Director General of Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia (QSAE) and Ato Gashaw Workneh, Quality Manager at the Authority participated in the workshop. While the representatives of each member country presented a report QSAE delegation also presented representing Ethiopia.

The 34th World Standards Day to be celebrated, 14 October 2003

* President of ISO, President of IEC and Secretary-General of ITU delivered a collective message to members, stakeholders and the world public.
* QSAE's Director General delivered a press release.
* Pannel Discussion Held.
Every year on 14 October, the members of ISO, the IEC and ITU celebrate World Standards Day, and this years celebration will take place in a more fascinating manner than it happened to be ever before, at the QSAE's Head Office.
The 34th World Standard Day, this year, will be celebrated under the theme "Global Standards for the Global Information Society". Concerning the celebration, the Presidents of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and the Secretary-General of ITU (International Telecommunication Union) delivered a collective message focusing on the need to build the information society, collectively called Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's), and the apex of standardization work of the three principal international standardization organizations should aim to ensuring the benefits to be equitably distributed.
In a related message, Ato Messai Girma, the Director General of QSAE (Quality and Standards Authority of Ethiopia), gave press release, at the Head Office of QSAE in which he implied the importance of ICTs in Ethiopia's effort to build its economy and bring an improved life to the people.
Ato Messai also noted that access to international standards that can favorably fit to promote the use of ICTs would contribute to the implementation of the country's economic policy strategies, and benefits would be earned from information of market access and use of new technologies can be adopted easily and timely. He further noted that ICTs have played a remarkable role in bringing the whole world into a small global village and said the use of the technologies would play an important role in the country's development.
Intended to raise the level of awareness of the Ethiopian public about quality, QSAE which represents Ethiopia in ISO, this year has organized special events, including exhibition displays to stay on show from 14 -18 October 2003, a set of days in the week named "Quality Week".
Quality Mark Licensees for compliance of their products with the relevant Ethiopian Standards will take an active part in the exhibitions. Events will be given special media coverage.

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