Staff Writer
The ability of Namibian businesses to compete in global markets will increasingly depend on how safely, sustainably and responsibly they operate, the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI) said.
The institution made the remarks as it launched two new certification schemes on Tuesday in Windhoek.
The launch of the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification schemes is expected to help local companies demonstrate compliance with international standards while improving workplace safety and environmental practices.
NSI chief executive officer Eino Mvula said the introduction of the schemes comes at a critical time as Namibia pursues economic growth, industrialisation, value addition and green investment under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
Mvula said the country’s development ambitions cannot be achieved through investment alone, but require businesses and institutions to operate efficiently, responsibly and according to internationally accepted practices.
“Standards and certification schemes are there, and they become very important for the work that we do on a daily basis,” Mvula said.
He said standards are often misunderstood as technical documents with little practical value, while they provide businesses with systems that improve efficiency, create confidence and ensure consistency in operations.
According to Mvula, standards are important for businesses across various sectors, from small entrepreneurs and manufacturers to mining companies, farmers and emerging industries such as green hydrogen.
He said certification provides assurance to investors, consumers and trading partners that products and services are produced in a safe, reliable and sustainable manner.
The ISO 45001 scheme focuses on occupational health and safety, with NSI positioning it as a tool to help organisations create safer workplaces and reduce risks to employees.
Mvula said workplace safety should not only be viewed as a compliance obligation, but as an investment that strengthens business performance.
“When workers are protected, productivity improves. When incidences are reduced, you save lives and decrease costs.”
He added that companies benefit when employees feel valued and protected, as safer working environments contribute to improved morale and better performance.
The ISO 14001 certification scheme, meanwhile, comes as Namibia seeks to attract environmentally conscious investment in sectors such as mining, oil and gas and renewable energy.
Mvula said businesses are operating in a world where customers and investors are increasingly interested not only in the final product, but also in the methods used to produce it.
He said companies must be able to account for environmental considerations such as carbon emissions and sustainable production practices if they want to remain competitive.
“Namibia is not only open for business, but Namibia is committed to doing business responsibly, sustainably and in accordance with internationally recognised best practices,” he added.
NSI acting general manager Etuukata Nashima said the launch demonstrates the institution’s growing role in supporting industries through locally available certification services.
Nashima explained that companies seeking certification must first implement the requirements of the relevant international standard and maintain records proving that these systems are being applied.
She said organisations should have at least two to three months of implementation records before NSI begins the initial document review process.
Businesses must also conduct internal assessments and management reviews before applying, as leadership commitment is a key requirement of international standards.
“The commitment should come from management and then cascade down to everybody on the ground,” Nashima said.
She added that NSI will provide businesses with access to application procedures and guide them through the certification process, including assessments and audits.
Nashima further noted that NSI is working towards accreditation for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification services, following its existing accreditation for ISO 17021 services relating to ISO 9001 certification.
The new schemes form part of NSI’s broader national quality infrastructure mandate, which includes standards development, testing, inspection, certification and metrology.
