The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) has been re-issued a BOS ISO 9001 quality management system certificate by Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS).
CEDA received the certificate in recognition of its quality management system, which has been assessed by BOBS and found to be in conformity with the requirements of the BOS ISO 9001:2008 standard. The BOBS certification approvals committee approved CEDA to be certified and issued with the BOS ISO 9001:2008 certification licence for the next three (3) years.
BOBS Managing Director, Masego Marobela explained that CEDA applied for recertification in April 2013 and later went through a rigorous audit activity and follow up audit that culminated in recertification in November 2013. She said certification is a process that requires commitment, dedication and ownership from top management cascading down to all levels in an organization.
“This is a notable achievement by CEDA. I note that despite the level of complexity of its operations and size, CEDA was able to attain recertification within a short period of time,” she said.
She stated that BOBS is delighted to retain CEDA into the family of BOBS’ QMS certified organizations in the different sectors. She highlighted that to date; well over 10,000,000 certificates have been issued to organizations against the ISO 9001 standard throughout the world demonstrating the recognized importance of this standard to business.
She is of the view that the BOS ISO 9001 certificate is testimony that CEDA executes its business in a consistent manner and is proof that indeed CEDA’s commitment to quality is planned into the organisation’s processes.
“In today’s business transactions worldwide, preference is given to certified organizations for the supply of goods and services. We mark a continued long and fruitful relationship between the BOBS and CEDA,” said Marobela.
CEDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thabo Thamane said in 2009 a decision was taken by management and the Board that CEDA should implement the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System (QMS). He said the decision was made in response to the need to ensure that the services of CEDA are consistently provided throughout the organization. He added that it was also with a view to improving the organisation’s customer service and its reputation as a quality service provider.
Thamane pointed out that the ISO 9001:2008 is one of the best known and internationally recognised standards for quality management of businesses. He explained that it showcases what CEDA does to fulfil their customers’ quality requirements, plus any applicable regulatory requirements. He said they are aiming to enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve continual improvement in their performance.
“This applies to the processes that create and control the products and services that CEDA supplies. It prescribes systematic control of activities to ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are met,” said Thamane.
The highlighted that their journey started in 2009 and hoped for continued support to uphold it in the years to come. He also reiterated to CEDA’s commitment to ensuring that it stays certified and adheres to quality customer service and the dictates of the ISO 9001:2008 standard.
“This has been clearly articulated in the CEDA Quality Policy Statement,” he said.
