Charles Ocici
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Ugandan firms aren’t always keen on ISO certification, something that has made them lose clients, especially on the global market.
Habari Daily made a survey and discovered that most of these local firms blame failure to attain ISO certification to high costs attached to implementation, training and audits.
The cost for a Ugandan firm to get ISO certified varies widely, from around Shs 2.5 million to Shs 15 million or more. The cost basically depends on company size, chosen standard (like ISO 9001, 14001, 27001), complexity, and consultant fees, covering development, implementation, training, and audit costs, with ongoing annual surveillance fees.
“Besides the high cost, there is also lack of awareness about benefits, difficulty with required documentation and formal systems, as well as shortage of local expert consultants,” said Albert Ochieng, a Kampala based trader.
He said that there is also a perception that local customers don’t demand quality, though it’s crucial for larger markets and efficiency gains.
Charles Ocici, the Enterprise Uganda Director General, however, points out that Ugandan manufacturing firms and service providers are increasingly getting exposed to the international market, creating a need for ISO certification.
He said that the ISO standards mark has over the years come to reflect a global benchmark of quality, safety, and reliability for an organization’s products, services, and systems.
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO certification is an official document it issues, which confirms that a company’s management systems, products, or services comply with global standards.
“This demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality, efficiency, and consistency and can help improve profits, reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and open up international trade opportunities,” said a statement issued by ISO.
The global standards body further notes that the certification additionally enhances credibility, builds customer trust, and opens up new market opportunities.
“It also drives internal improvements by optimizing processes, reducing waste, and ensuring compliance with specific requirements, sometimes making it a legal or contractual necessity for certain industries or tenders.”
Ocici further says that the benefits of ISO certification are countless and outweigh the costs by far.
“The biggest win in all this is the increase in credibility and trust that a company earns when it attains ISO certification,” he said, adding that certification also demonstrates a commitment to high standards, which can build confidence with customers, partners, and stakeholders.
He further noted that in the dispensation of the global village phenomenon, ISO certification also provides market access, since many industries and clients require suppliers to be ISO certified, making it essential for expanding into new markets and securing business opportunities.
Ocici further noted that the company’s journey to attain ISO certification is long and tedious, out of which firms gain the much sought after enhancement.
“The process involves identifying areas for efficiency improvement, which can lead to more efficient operations, reduced waste, and better resource allocation,” he said, adding that it also drives continuous improvement, and encourages organizations to focus on customer needs and consistently improve their management systems, strategies, and products.
“ISO standards also ensures that products and services are safe, reliable, and of good quality, protecting both the consumer and the business’s reputation.”
Standards like ISO 22301 helps organizations to develop robust plans to respond to and recover from disruptions, which can be critical for long-term survival, giving companies an edge over competitors who are not certified.
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