Below are presenting the main regulatory governmental agencies. Some of them, namely TFDA and TBS, has laboratory to conduct quality control. On the private sector, note that there is only few laboratory and quality testing companies covering the Tanzanian market. A list of companies is provided in the 4.3 Tanzania Laboratory and Quality Testing Companies Contact List .

TANZANIA REVENUE AUTHORITY (TRA)

The Tanzania Revenue Authority is a government agency of Tanzania, charged with the responsibility of managing the assessment, collection and accounting of all central government revenue. It is a semi-autonomous body that operates in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

The major functions of Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) consist in assessing, collecting and accounting for Government Revenue; administrating revenue laws; advising Government on fiscal policy; promoting voluntary tax compliance; improving quality of service; counteracting fraud-tax evasion; producing trade statistics and publications.

SURFACE AND MARINE TRANSPORT REGULATORY AUTHORITY (SUMATRA) & ZANZIBAR MARITIME AUTHORITY

The Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) is a Multi-sector regulatory agency. The Authority sectoral scope covers, rail transport, port and shipping Services, maritime safety & security, and road transport. (SUMATRA, 2017) In Zanzibar island, this function is assumed by the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA). Both organisations are under the authority of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications.

TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (TBS)

The main functions of Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) are:

-       formulation and promulgation of Tanzania Standards in all sectors of the country economy; implementation of the promulgated standards through third party certification schemes;

-       improving the quality industrial products both for export and local consumption through various certification schemes;

-       promotion of standardization and quality assurance service in industry and commerce through training of personnel Company Standardization, Quality Assurance and Management system, Quality Assurance and Management System, Quality Improvement, Laboratory Techniques and Accreditation, Packaging Technology and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP);

-       undertaking tasting of product sample drawn by TBS inspectors in the course of implementing standards (certification samples), requested by manufacturers themselves (type testing samples) brought by consumers (customer complaints samples) or for checking laboratory proficiency (proficiency testing samples);

-       undertaking calibration of industrial and scientific measuring equipment and instrument in the areas of mass, length value, energy, temperature, etc.

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has implemented a product conformity assessment programme for the control of certain categories of imported consumer goods. The programme, known as Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to standards implemented from 01 February 2012. The objective of the PVoC is to ensure that all imports of regulated products comply with the approved Tanzanian technical regulations, (i.e. Tanzanian or other approved international standards), prior to shipment. (TBS, 2017)

TANZANIA FOOD AND DRUGS AUTHORITY (TFDA)

TFDA is a governmental agency that has the mandate to ensure the quality, the safety and the effectiveness of food drugs, cosmetics and medical devices in order to protect and promote public health. It conducts laboratory analysis and testing and produce recommendations based on the outcomes.

THE ENERGY AND WATER UTILITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY (EWURA)

This is an autonomous multi-sector regulatory Authority established by the Energy and Water Utilities Authority Act, Cap 414 of the Laws of Tanzania. EWURA is responsible for technical and economic regulation of the energy (electricity, petroleum, natural gas) and water sector in Tanzania.

The Authority’s functions among others include licensing, tariff review, monitoring performance and standards regarding quality, safety, health and environment. The authority is also expected to establish standards for goods and services provided, regulate rates and charges, make rules and monitor the regulated sectors performance.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Tanzania Government Contact List and 4.3 Tanzania Laboratory and Quality Testing Companies Contact List