(JUBA) – South Sudan has marked World Standards Day with a call for stronger measurement systems to support affordable and clean energy.
The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards said reliable standards and measurements are the foundation for safety, quality and public trust in energy systems.
World Standards Day is marked every 14th October.
This year’s theme focuses on the role of metrology, the science of measurement, in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable and clean energy.
Metrology covers the definition of measurement units, the use of scientific methods to realise them, and the establishment of traceability chains to confirm accuracy.
The standards body said the upgrade of its Central Laboratory in Juba is part of efforts to strengthen testing capacity.
The laboratory resumed operations in October after nine years of inactivity due to lack of equipment and repairs, according to its director, Wilson Wani Leju.
The renovation was supported by the World Food Programme and other partners.
Leju said the facility can now test for heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury and lead, as well as pesticides and aflatoxins in cereals.
He warned that without adequate testing equipment, harmful substances in food and other products could go undetected, putting consumers at risk.
The laboratory upgrade supports the vision of the Executive Director, Hon. Oiyllang Dominic Kanuto, to strengthen SSNBS laboratories and work towards accreditation in line with international standards.
The bureau said the investment is aimed at protecting public health, consumers and confidence in the South Sudanese market.
In a related development, SSNBS participated in the 20th East African Community Codex Forum meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, from 6th to 9th October 2026.
Mr. Emmanuel Kenyi Bilal, a Senior Standard Officer and EAC Codex Forum focal person for South Sudan, represented the bureau.
The meeting brought together delegates from seven EAC partner states, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.
The forum worked on common positions for the upcoming Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems and the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods.
The meeting also adopted a Resource Mobilisation Strategy and a Communication and Advocacy Strategy under the EAC Codex Forum Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2031.
The SSNBS said it remains committed to regional standardisation efforts for consumer protection and sustainable economic growth.
The bureau also marked the day by focusing on its compliance and quality workflows, noting that standards may be invisible but the safety and efficiency they bring are clear.
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