Certification and approval of products
By Tanya Olckers
BUSINESS AND TRAINING 17
The South African Allbrothers Product and System Certification ( SABPS ) aims to make the process of product certification as streamlined as possible .
The South African Allbrothers Product and System Certification ( SABPS ) has been around for seven years and has served as a product certification body . It concentrates on the seven sectors of industry from chemical , mechanical and cement and concrete through to electro-tech , clothing and textiles and food products . SABPS is the first black-owned certification body established and fully owned by three directors , who together have more than 30 years ’ combined experience in conformity assessments and certification .
With a type 5 accreditation status granted by The South African National Accreditation System ( SANAS ), it is a fully fledged product certification body that is on par with the South African Bureau of Standards ( SABS ). This means SABPS issue product approval certificates that are internationally recognised .
CEO Frank Makamo worked within the SABS for 18 years and was strongly aware of the high cost of testing at the body . When the laws changed , allowing for tests to be done at private accredited laboratories , Makamo knew that this was a game changer for product manufacturers .
Supplied by Frank Makamo
Frank Makamo with Donovan Fraser from Biocombe Solar and Gas Solutions .
“ Industry needs a certification body that won ’ t inflate prices for the testing of products and provide test results in a good and timely fashion ,” says Makamo .
Some companies have felt frustration with the long processes by government institutions to get certification . Private certification bodies took up the battle to have accreditation to audit and test products . However , the SABS continues to be the Standard Body responsible to develop South African National Standards ( SANS ). These standards are then used by accredited certification bodies such as SABPS to provide product certification to the industry .
To understand how certification works , one needs to look at the global standards organisation , the International Standards Organisation ( ISO ). The body , based in Geneva , was founded in 1947 and is a non-governmental organisation that oversees the development and publication of international standards . ISO is made up of member standard bodies from 169 countries , and its mandate is to bring together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary , consensus-based , market-relevant international standards which then get adopted by various countries globally . Makamo had the privilege to serve as ISO / CASCO Chair and member of ISO Council for 4 years .
SABPS with some of their clients .
SABPS is dedicated to bringing a quick , affordable , high-level service to the industry and even won the 2022 Presidential SMME award for Best Service Provider , which afforded them an opportunity to participate in last year ’ s BRICS conference held in South Africa . SABPS is also a member of both Proudly South African and the Southern African Association of Certification Bodies ( SAACB ). PA
February 2024 Volume 29 I Number 12 www . plumbingafrica . co . za