The Malawi Bureau of Standards Act (Chapter 51:02).

The Malawi Bureau of Standards Act (Chapter 51:02) establishes the legal framework for the creation, governance, and operation of the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and its Board. The objects of the Bureau shall be— (a) to promote standardization in commerce and industry; (b) to prepare and issue standards and to administer schemes based thereon; (c) to make arrangements to provide facilities for the testing and calibration of precision instruments, gauges and scientific apparatus, for the determination of their degree of accuracy by comparison with standards, approved by the Minister on the recommendation of the Board, and for the issue of certificates in regard thereto; (d) to make arrangements or provide facilities in order to examine, test or analyze articles, materials and substances; (e) to provide for the testing of locally manufactured or imported commodities with a view to determining whether such commodities comply with the provisions of this Act, the Merchandise Marks Act or any other law relating to standards of quality; (f) to control the use of standardization marks; (g) to encourage or undertake educational work in connexion with standardization; (h) to provide for cooperation with any person, association or organization outside Malawi having objects similar to those of the Bureau; (i) to assist any ministry, Government department, local authority, other public authority or any statutory corporation in the preparation and framing of the specifications or codes of practice required by it; (j) to provide for cooperation with the representatives of any branch of industry, ministry, Government Department, local authority, other public authority or any statutory corporation or with any person with a view to bringing about standardization in connexion with commodities; (k) to assess quality systems and to administer the certification by such systems thus assessed; (l) to supply reference material for specific purposes; and
The Act provides for the setting, declaration, and incorporation of Malawi Standards into law. Standards may be mandatory, requiring compliance for manufacture and sale. The Bureau controls the use of standardization marks and issues permits for their application. Non-compliance may result in directives, confiscation, or destruction of commodities. Inspectors and auditors are empowered to enter premises, inspect operations, seize documents, and suspend manufacturing activities posing risks to health or safety. They may issue improvement or prohibition notices, subject to appeal to the Minister. Provisions address defective commodities, including orders for prohibition, recall, and remedies for contraventions. Suppliers may voluntarily recall products but must notify the Director General. Insurance contracts are protected from being voided due to disclosures made under the Act. Offences include obstruction of inspectors, false representation, and failure to comply with directives. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment, with provisions for forfeiture and recovery of gains from offences.