South African Bureau of Standards

The development of standards is a core function of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and is essential for ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of products, services, and systems. Here's a more detailed explanation of the development of standards.



The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is a South African statutory body established in terms of the Standards Act (Act No. 24 of 1945). It continues to operate in terms of the latest edition of the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 29 of 2008) as the national institution for the promotion and maintenance of standardization and quality in connection with commodities and the rendering of services.

Function
As the national standardization authority, the SABS is responsible for maintaining South Africa's database of more than 6,500 national standards, as well as developing new standards, revising, amending, and withdrawing existing standards.

The SABS plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of the products and services in South Africa, and in promoting international trade through compliance with global standards.

The SABS performs several essential functions including:


 * 1) Developing and Promoting Standards: The SABS develops and promotes national standards across various sectors, including agriculture, engineering, construction, and consumer products. These standards aim to ensure the safety, quality, and reliability of products and services in the country.
 * 2) Testing and Certification: The SABS provides testing and certification services to various industries to ensure compliance with national and international standards. This includes testing products and materials for safety and quality and certifying companies and products that meet the required standards.
 * 3) Research and Innovation: The SABS conducts research and innovation activities to support the development of new standards and to improve existing ones. This includes collaborating with industry, academia, and government to identify emerging trends and technologies that may impact standards.
 * 4) Training and Capacity Building: The SABS provides training and capacity-building services to industry, government, and the public on the development, implementation, and compliance with standards. This includes providing training on standards development, quality management, and certification processes.

Internationally, SABS experts represent South Africa's interests in the development of international standards, through their engagement with bodies such as the International organization for standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). SABS also holds the Secretariat for SADCSTAN, the standardization body for the Southern African Development Community of 14 nations.

South African initiative on reusable sanitary products
Coordinated by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the Sanitary Dignity Framework was created to improve menstrual hygiene. It establishes a framework for a consistent approach to the provision of sanitary dignity to safeguard and restore the dignity of disadvantaged girls and women. The SABS intended to standardize the production of washable, reusable sanitary towels in August 2019. The standard was published on 6 May 2020 and is intended to help meet the diverse requirements of women and girls in South Africa who require hygiene menstrual management.

Declaration on Gender-Responsive Standards and Standards Development
In 2019, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) signed the Declaration on Gender-Responsive Standards and Standards Development, joining more than 55 other countries in an effort to enhance women's participation and representation in standardisation. The declaration was adopted by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in 2019.