The Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) says it is developing standards for the emerging oil and gas and green hydrogen industries.
NSI Chief Executive Officer Eino Mvula said the institution is driving the development of industry-specific standards to ensure safety, quality and sustainability in the vital sectors to ensure aligning standards with industry needs.
“As Namibia progresses towards economic diversification, our standards must evolve to support emerging industries such as oil and gas and green hydrogen. By establishing comprehensive standards, we can foster growth, innovation and international competitiveness in these sectors,” said Mvula.
He said for the oil and gas sector, the institution aims to ensure fuel quality and safety standards are upheld.
“Our collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy is instrumental in establishing a petrochemical testing laboratory, this facility will play a crucial role in verifying fuel quality, thereby safeguarding consumers and enhancing industry reliability,” said Mvula.
He revealed that the NSI is exploring developing standards for the green hydrogen sector, a promising frontier in renewable energy.
“We recognise the potential of green hydrogen to drive sustainable development. To support this, we are working on standards for green hydrogen production, certification and measurement services,” said Mvula.
He said the institution was collaborating with organisations such as GIZ and support received from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“These partnerships enable knowledge exchange and capacity building. Together, we aim to position Namibia as a leader in green hydrogen, adhering to global best practices,” said Mvula.
The NSI’s initiative is part of the company’s 2024-2028 ISBP launched recently.
The company also announced the commencement of the Metrology Act of 2022, which is pivotal in enhancing market access and ensuring more Namibian products are on foreign shelves.
“One of the pivotal initiatives we’re heavily invested in is the comprehensive implementation of the Metrology Act. This legislative framework serves as the bedrock of our quality assurance efforts, ensuring that standards are rigorously upheld across various sectors,” said Mvula.
He highlighted the critical role this act plays in safeguarding consumer interests, fostering fair trade practices, and bolstering the credibility of Namibian products both domestically and on the global stage.