Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)in South Africa and their international counterparts alike have challenges related to conforming to mandatory or voluntary standards required by potential clients interested in integrating them into their Supply Chain.

An example of such standards required is the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems requirements. Food Safety Management Systems based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practices.
For example, the scope of ISO 9001:2015 specifies that “This International Standard specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organization:

a) Needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and;
b) Aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements”. Source: ISO 9001:2015, Fifth edition 2015-09-15.

CES developed a Mentoring for Standardization Programme that is tailor-made for each individual organisation based on its scope of products and services.

The objective of the “Mentoring for Standardization Programme” is to support, SMEs towards standardisation that will minimize the risks in their operations and activities whilst unlocking the barriers to trade and operational efficiencyimposed by lack of conformity to relevant management systems standards.

This is achieved through provision of technical support, capacity building and advisory services in the following standards but not limited to;