The government has taken a strategic decision to invest in key industries, including strategic emerging areas of renewable energy, as well as oil and gas.
This investment decision, according to the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI), presents an opportunity for the expansion of the standardisation and conformity of assessment services.
The strategic emerging sectors have been bolstered by green hydrogen ambitions, with pilot projects expected to start producing this year.
President Nangolo Mbumba last week noted that as a result of tireless efforts, Namibia today hosts nine hydrogen projects across two developing hydrogen valleys, with the potential for a third valley to be anchored by abundant iron ore potential.
In this regard, the NSI has clearly stated its commitment to evolve as required by developing industries and their related services.
Among its duties, the NSI is tasked with managing and coordinating the implementation of the National Quality Policy, promoting quality in society, developing, adopting and publishing Namibian standards (NAMS) in compliance with World Trade Organisation requirements, as well as providing accurate measurement traceability to international standards through an established metrology laboratory.
“The NSI will contribute to the development of the Synthetic Fuels Act as a comprehensive regulatory framework to create an enabling environment with legislation for green hydrogen projects and ensure compatibility with international green fuel, certification, health and safety, and environmental standards,” reads part of the integrated strategic business plan from 2024 to 2029.
The NSI plan was launched in the capital on Monday evening. At the event, trade and industrialisation minister Lucia Iipumbu said this chosen strategic direction would enable the NSI to drive the process of developing and strengthening national quality infrastructure, leading to expanded exports and contributing to socio-economic development.
“It is my belief that the NSI is shaping its role in ensuring quality, safety and innovation in Namibian products and services, thus contributing to sustainable economic growth and development in Namibia.
“There have been substantive changes in the landscape that had to be considered and incorporated at the policy level. These include a growing population and diversification of the economy, a greater emphasis on better regulation, market operation and trade as an enabler for development, and regional and global integration, including signing up to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,” said Iipumbu.
She continued: “All of this means that Namibia’s quality infrastructure and its technical regulation framework must demonstrably meet international good practices and be accepted by all trading partners.” On the same occasion, NSI celebrated its 15th anniversary and commemorated World Metrology Day, which coincides with the commencement of the Metrology Act.
Participating in international trade requires Namibian-manufactured products to meet certain global quality, quantity and packaging standards.
Metrology is the science of measurements, and its applications include all theoretical and practical aspects of measurement.
The Metrology Act seeks, amongst others, to redress a widening gap in legal units of measurement in Namibian legislation, particularly on traceability and measuring equipment related to metrology.
These aspects directly impact consumer protection and conformity assessments.