TANZANIA will establish its own global standard one (GS1) bar codes that identify items in the supply chain, ending Kenya dependency for the codes by next June.
Dar es Salaam, currently is buying the bar code numbers from Nairobi, which is an expensive and unnecessary undertaking.
Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) EMPRETEC’s Co-ordinator, Mr Hans Mtika told the ‘Daily News’ that the meeting for the establishment of the GS1’Tanzania will meet in early January to endorse the letter of establishment.
“The founding members (in January) will select the board,” Mr Mtika said on Wednesday, adding “By March the application for establishment will be sent to the headquarter in Brussels.”
The stakeholders, which are private sector, want the country to have its own bar codes before this financial year ends in June.
Mr Mtika gave an example of Bakhresa Group of Companies that is buying the bar code numbers from Kenya. The codes also help manufacturers’ to easy their product exports and increase efficiency.
The process to registering with GS1 Global Organisation requires that the application file should contain the status or by-laws of the organisation, list founding members, letter of endorsement from each founding member and composition of management board.
According to Mr Mtika, the steering committee has already initiated the preparation of the by-laws for prospective GS1 Tanzania.
He said “GS1 will be the private thing and members will be required to determine the price of the bar code numbers, once accepted by Brussels.”
Mr Mtika added: “This will reduce the cross-boarder costs of obtaining the code numbers.”
Furthermore, Mr Mtika said GS1 enhances export business but other local and international standard should be adhered to as well
“This is a bar code number to easy identify and trace manufacturer’s goods worldwide” not a standard by itself.
The establishment of the GS1 Tanzania has the blessing of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing.
TSPF is working in a collaboration with TIRDO – Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organisation – in the establishment of the same.
GS1 bar codes identify items in the supply chain and are used in all industry sectors including retail, manufacturing and healthcare.
GS1 and its member organisations are in over 100 countries and ensure that the bar code numbers that manufacturers receive are unique against all other numbers.