Ensuring the quality verification of goods before exportation is critical to minimise delays and cut down on costs, thereby facilitating smoother trade and enhancing overall efficiency in the global market, according to Johan Eksteen, the business manager of connectivity and products at SGS South Africa"Quality verification serves as a critical checkpoint in the export process, guaranteeing that products meet the standards and specifications required by importing countries," he said. "Exporters are encountering many challenges, particularly concerning infrastructure limitations and the availability of vessels and containers. A universal challenge that exporters face is the risk of goods becoming trapped in the clearing process at their final destination."This can prove to be a costly affair for exporters on multiple fronts. "Destination inspections carry a minimum of 5% penalty. Additionally, storage costs accrue for the duration that goods are held up. Should goods ultimately be rejected upon inspection at the destination, exporters must bear the additional expense of repatriating or disposing of t hem ent i rely."According to Eksteen, to mitigate these risks and safeguard their interests, manufacturers can implement a Quality Management System (Q MS) to verify the quality of their goods. "A robust Q MS offers a proactive solution by enabling manufacturers to ascertain and certify their products' quality before exportation. By adhering to stringent quality standards and conducting comprehensive inspections throughout production, exporters can preemptively identify and rectify any potential discrepancies or defe c t s."South African manufacturers are advised to implement these systems, particularly considering the increased demand for the country's exports. "With the weakening of the rand, a pull market is anticipated to emerge for South African goods. Finding export markets will become easier as our goods are relatively cheaper than other countries with a stronger currency," said Eksteen. "It is a huge opportunity for local manufacturers to find international clients and earn foreign currency for their goods. The success will lie in planning the product f low, ensuring that the goods can seamlessly cross borders and be precleared at origin."This, however, would require some homework to ensure products meet the necessary standards of the export market. "Companies like SGS can help exporters set up quality systems for product conformity from the start," he told Freight News. "It is also better to think about the value chain from the beginning. If clients, however, find themselves with problems later, SGS can guide them through complying with local import rules and getting a Certificate of Conformity for smooth clearance.
