PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to take firm action to prevent substandard goods and products from reaching the public by destroying them before reaching the market.

He emphasized that any items failing to meet national quality standards should be intercepted and destroyed at the point of production or entry in order to protect consumers and preserve trust in regulatory systems. Speaking in Dodoma on Wednesday during the foundation-laying ceremony for the new TBS headquarters, the PM urged local manufacturers to strictly adhere to the bureau’s guidelines.

"Manufacturers must follow TBS procedures to the letter," he said.He also called on importers to ensure that all goods brought into the country conform to TBS-approved standards. In addition, he urged other regulatory authorities to work closely with TBS in enforcing quality control and upholding safety across all sectors.

Majaliwa further encouraged the private sector and other stakeholders to actively cooperate with the bureau. He advised them to engage TBS in inspecting goods and products throughout the supply chain and to immediately report any substandard items identified.

"Ending the circulation of poor-quality goods is a shared responsibility requiring vigilance and collaboration at all levels," he stressed.The PM applauded the management of TBS for what he described as commendable performance, saying the institution has delivered on its mandate as expected.

Commenting on the new headquarters, he noted that the construction is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen quality assurance infrastructure and promote production and distribution of high-quality goods in the country.

He added that there are plans to construct similar TBS buildings in the institution’s six zones across the country as part of ongoing efforts to decentralize operations and enhance the bureau’s reach and efficiency in enforcing standards nationwide.

"Through these efforts, the government aims to bring services closer to the people, improving accessibility and responsiveness," he said.Majaliwa reminded the meeting that during his recent visit to Japan, he saw Tanzanian tea, coffee and other products in the market. He urged TBS not to allow substandard products to leave the country, warning that such acts damage Tanzania’s image internationally.

Earlier, Minister for Industry and Trade, Selemani Jafo, praised the new TBS building as being of high quality and added that the bureau has made the government proud through its work. “Recently, the bureau received recognition as one of the best institutions in Africa, a clear sign of the good work it continues to deliver," he said.

He said that the bureau has collected 28,642 samples for testing, demonstrating its active role in ensuring product quality and safety.TBS Board Chairperson, Prof. Othman Chande, called on members of the public to cooperate with the institution, stressing that ensuring high standards requires joint efforts from all stakeholders.

"We cannot achieve our mission without public cooperation," he noted. TBS Director General Dr Ashura Katunzi noted that as of May 2025, construction of the office building and laboratory, set to cost 24.3bn/- upon completion, had reached 76 percent progress.