The Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise said that public shall strengthen seeking quality assurance certificates in markets.
In his exclusive interview with Walta, Marketing Corporate Communication Director with the Enterprise, Tekae Birhane, said that the enterprise has certified 62 water factories nationally and among them seven are mineral water producing factories.
Quality is being assessed with 40 requirements within Laboratory testing, inspection and certification process. Those unable to qualify the requirements will be directed to fulfill their gaps.
CES (Compulsory Ethiopia Standard):99 and CES 159 are qualification requirements set to bottle and mineral water, respectively, he added.
According to Tekea, the enterprise undertakes assessment of quality of bottled and mineral water four times a year. Besides, unexpected assessment is also takes place accordingly.
Ethiopia's Food, Medicine and Health Care Administration and Control Authority and Ministry of Trade are cooperatively assessing and controlling to assure quality of water.
Food Registration Directorate Director with the Authority, Tewodros Girma, on his part said that following integrated works of the Authority, Ministry and Enterprise, currently no bottled and mineral water is marketed at national level.
It was noted that Ethiopia has a conducive topography and temperature to produce both bottled and mineral water which is a plus to encourage and motivate investors to work in this area for successful investment and bring about foreign currency.
Quality is uncompromised for traders; similarly, buyers shall develop to seek quality assurance certificate for what they purchase, Walta learnt.