The Malawi Bureau of Standards is a statutory organisation established by an act of parliament chap 51.02 in 1972. It is charged with the preparation and promulgation of national standards with a view of helping the local industry to produce quality products. Mission: To contribute by promoting quality and standardisation towards the strengthening of the economy of Malawi and towards enhancing the quality of life of all its people. Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) is also commited to implementing environmental management strategies that encompass issues of safety ,health, water, energy and materials conservation, air including indoor air, soil and water pollution, and to promote the same through staff development. I has got plans underway to initiate measures to monitor and mitigate against indoor air pollution of residents as well as industries like mining, cement and others.
Contact Information
Malawi
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Through standards implementation the Malawi Bureau of Standards has all the potential to promote cleaner technologies regardless of cultural barriers.
At the moment none
We have just developed a set of several standards for solar energy and hybrid systems for rural electrification
We have plans to start monitoring indoor air pollution and stove performances (Discussions underway with the Department of Energy on capacity building in terms of monitoring equipment, and performance testing of stoves)
Relevant Publications or Studies
A proposal has just been developed on "Extent of exposure to indoor air pollution from biomass in Malawi", which is believed to form a very important information basis on the situation in Malawi (STILL RESEARCH NOT CONDUCTED, CAPACITY). Public awareness in collaboration with the industry and relevant Government departments on health, energy and environment
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Through its liason with international and national standards bodies the Malawi Bureau of Standards will contribute especially in area of information dessemination and also through its expertise in standardisation, it will contribute significantly on implementation strategies of different technologies.