CCA, BOBS Sign MoU

The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA) and the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). To that end, the CCA and BOBS found it prudent to enter into a MoU for purposes of discharging their respective functions. The MoU is intended to enable the two organisations to assist each other with data collection and analysis, inspection of business and products to ensure good quality for consumers, and the examination and testing of goods for compliance with the Standards and Consumer Protection laws. Under Section 43 of the Consumer Protection Act, the CCA is mandated to establish a mechanism through which it can maintain regular contact with other regulators on the exercise of its mandate. Similarly, under section 3(2) (h) of the Standards Act, BOBS is expected to cooperate with the Government or any local authority or public body, or with the representatives of any industry or any person, with the aim of securing the adoption and practical application of standards. The CCA is established with the principal objective of the prevention of, and redress for anti-competitive practices in the economy as well as the removal of constraints on the free play of competition in the market. Further, CCA is mandated to protect the rights of consumers against unfair business practices and to implement the Consumer Protection Act. BOBS is mandated to promote standardisation and quality assurance in industry and commerce. The mandate encompasses promotion of standardisation and quality assurance in industry and commerce, with the aim of improving product quality, industrial efficiency and productivity, and the promotion of trade, so as to achieve optimum benefits for the public generally, particularly with regard to the health, safety, welfare, and protection of the consumer.