Mbabane- Consumers may be purchasing products that have never been properly tested for quality and safety because regulators tasked with protecting the public lack the powers needed to enforce standards.
This startling revelation emerged before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee this week, where regulatory agencies admitted that gaps in legislation have left them unable to effectively police the market.
The Eswatini Standards Authority (ESWASA) painted a grim picture of a regulatory system that focuses heavily on expiry dates while overlooking broader issues of product quality, standards compliance and fair market practices.
ESWASA Chief Executive Officer Ncamiso Mhlanga said inspectors conducting raids on grocery stores often check whether products have expired, yet there is little scrutiny on whether those products actually meet required standards.
“When the municipality inspect grocery stores, they look at expiry dates, but standards are equally important,” he said. “The law should ensure that inspections cover standards, pricing and expiry dates.”
The authority revealed that it lacks powers to gazette inspectors, conduct market surveillance and prosecute offenders, severely limiting its ability to protect consumers from substandard goods.
Mhlanga said the situation is so dire that even bottled water consumed daily by thousands of emaSwati may not necessarily comply with recognized standards.
“Many businesses do not seek certification because there is no effective enforcement mechanism compelling them to do so,” he said.
The challenge extends beyond local businesses. ESWASA told legislators that imported goods enter the country without the authority having powers to independently verify whether they comply with required standards.
The absence of testing infrastructure has compounded the problem. Eswatini currently lacks accredited laboratories capable of conducting many of the tests needed to certify products, forcing businesses to seek services in South Africa and Kenya at considerable cost.
For small and medium enterprises, the expense can be prohibitive.
The authority warned that unless the country invests in testing facilities and strengthens legislation, consumers will remain vulnerable while compliant businesses continue to compete against operators who ignore standards altogether.
The concerns were echoed by the Eswatini Competition Commission, which also highlighted shortcomings in the laws governing its operations.
On another note, Chief Executive Officer Sibaniselizulu Maseko told the committee that the Competition Act of 2007 does not fully empower the commission to execute its mandate of promoting fair competition and protecting consumer welfare.
The admissions have raised questions about whether regulatory institutions have sufficient tools to safeguard consumers in an increasingly complex marketplace.
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