The Act seeks to harmonize standards, enhance consumer protection, and promote economic development within the East African Community by establishing a framework for quality assurance, metrology, and testing practices. The Act establishes guidelines for the development and approval of East African Standards, which are to be adopted by the Partner States' national standards bodies. These standards cover a wide range of products and processes, ensuring uniformity and quality across the region. The Act also addresses the declaration of compulsory standards, which are necessary when the purpose of a standard cannot be achieved without making it mandatory. The process for declaring a compulsory standard involves public notification, objections, and hearings to ensure transparency and accountability. Furthermore, the Act outlines the role of the Secretariat in maintaining a catalogue of East African Standards and normative documents, providing easy access to this information for the public. It also defines key terms related to standardization, testing, and trade agreements, emphasizing the importance of aligning national and East African Standards with international norms to facilitate trade and reduce costs.
2006-05-24