About Zamukana Ubuziranenge (ZU) Programme
Zamukana Ubuziranenge (ZU) Program was established under Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) to provide technical assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the aim enabling them to comply with the requirements of applicable standards. The program aims to improve the quality and competitiveness of made in Rwanda products, enabling access to national, regional and international markets and building the quality culture within the business community.
1. Overview
The textile sector plays a vital role in the global economy, offering a diverse range of products that are essential to everyday life, from clothing and home furnishings to technical textiles used in industries like healthcare and construction. The textile value chain covers various processes, including fiber production, yarn manufacturing, fabric weaving/knitting, dyeing, finishing and garment making.
On the other hand, leather sector also offers a wide range of goods used in daily life such as shoes, belts, wallets, bags. footwear, apparel, upholstery etc.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the textile and leather sectors often face challenges in meeting quality and safety requirements which may hinder their competitiveness on local, regional and international markets. To overcome these challenges, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) through the Zamukana Ubuziranenge Program has engaged in providing Technical Assistance that help textile SMEs understand and implement quality, safety and sustainability standards requirements across the entire production process and enhance consumer trust in locally manufactured textile and leather products.
2. Scope
The technical Assistance provided to Textile SMEs covers all textile products including both natural and synthetic fibres, yarn, fabrics and garments.
For leather sector, products ranging from raw skins and hides, tanned leather, finished leather and leather goods including shoes, belts, wallets, bags. footwear, apparel, upholstery are covered.
3. Current Status
Since 2020, RSB through ZU, conducted Technical Assistance in the field of Textile countrywide. Identified Textile SMEs were assessed to compliance status. They were then trained and coached to help them bridge the identified gaps. A total of sixty-one (61) textile SMEs were assisted. Currently, eight (8) SMEs in Leather sector are being assisted.
SMEs that are yet to join the Zamukana Ubuziranenge program are encouraged to apply to ensure no one is left behind in the journey to improve the quality of locally made products.
4. Applicable standards:
Standards governing this sectors include specifications, code of practices and test methods.
a) Textile sector
Various standards have been developed to support operators in this sector. Below are some of them:
| Reference number | Title |
| RS ISO 4915 | Textiles — Stitch types — Classification and terminology |
| RS ARS 1552 | Standard methods of garment measurement — Code of practice |
| RS ARS 1568 | School clothing –All parts |
| RS ARS 1567 | School wear fabrics –All parts |
| RS EAS 220 | Knitted polyester fabric — Specification |
| RS EAS 222 | Knitted polyester/cellulosic blended fabric — Specification |
| RS EAS 224 | Cotton khanga — Specification |
| RS EAS 226 | Kitenge — Specification |
| RS EAS 227 | Knitted cotton fabric — Specification |
| RS EAS 228 | Cotton bed sheets — Specification |
| RS EAS 253-1 | Code of practice for grading of textile materials — Part 1: Fabrics |
| RS EAS 455 | Long Lasting Insecticide treated mosquito nets — Specification |
| RS ISO 6938 | Textiles — Natural fibers — Generic names and definitions |
| RS ISO 2076 | Textiles — Man-made fibers — Generic names |
| RS ISO 3758 | Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols |
| RS ISO 8559-1 | Size designation of clothes — Part 1: Anthropometric definitions for body measurement |
| RS ISO 8559-2 | Size designation of clothes — Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators |
| RS ISO 8498 | Woven fabrics — Description of defects — Vocabulary |
| RS ISO 8499 | Knitted fabrics — Description of defects — Vocabulary |
b) Leather sector
Various standards have been developed to support operators in this sector. They include standards for hides and skins preservation, grading and specifications for different leather goods Below are some of them:
| Category | Reference number | Title of the standard | |
| Standards for the preservation of Skins and hides standards | RS EAS 93-1 | Preservation of raw hides and skins — Code of practice — Part 1: Stack salting | |
| RS EAS 93-2 | Preservation of raw hides and skins — Code of practice — Part 2: Air-drying | ||
| RS EAS 93-3 | Preservation of raw hides and skins — Code of practice — Part 3: Pickling | ||
| Grading raw goat and sheep skins | RS ISO 7482-1 | Raw goat skins — Part 1: Descriptions of defects | |
| RS ISO 7482-3 | Raw goat skins — Part 3: Guidelines for grading on the basis of defects | ||
| RS ISO 7482-2 | Raw goat skins — Part 2: Guidelines for grading on the basis of mass and size | ||
| Tanning—wet blue leather | RS ISO 5431 | Leather — wet blue goat skins — Specification | |
| RS ISO 5432 | Leather — wet blue sheep skins — Specification | ||
| RS ISO 5433 | Leather — Bovine wet blue — Specification | ||
| Standards for leather products | RS ARS 1555 | Leather — Gloves — Specification | |
| RS ARS 1553 | Leather — men's and women's belts — Specification | ||
| RS ARS 1554 | Leather — Ladies fashion handbags — Specification | ||
| RS ISO 14931 | Leather — Guide to the selection of leather for apparel | ||
| RS 411-1 | Sport balls — Specification — Part 1: Footballs | ||
| RS ISO 16131 | Leather — Upholstery leather characteristics — Selection of leather for furniture | ||
| RS ISO 2820 | Leather — Raw hides of cattle and horses — Method of trimming | ||
| RS EAS 942-1 | Footwear — Specification — Part 1: Men’s closed shoes | ||
| RS EAS 942-1 | Footwear — Specification — Part 1: Men’s closed shoes | ||
| RS EAS 942-2 | Footwear — Specification — Part 2: Men’s open shoes | ||
| RS EAS 943-1 | Footwear — Specification — Part 1: Ladies closed shoes | ||
| RS EAS 943-2 | Footwear — Specification — Part 2: Ladies open shoes and designs. | ||
| RS EAS 944-1 | Footwear — Specification — Part 1: Children’s shoes (2 years and below) | ||
| RS EAS 944-2 | Footwear — Specification — Part 2: Children’s shoes (2-6 years) | ||
| RS ARS 1558 | Footwear — Children's school shoes with direct injection — Specification | ||
| RS ARS 1557 | Leather — Vegetable tanned bend outer sole — Specification | ||
| RS ARS 1556 | Leather — Chrome tanned bend outer sole — Specification | ||
| RS ISO/TR 16178 | Footwear — Critical substances potentially present in footwear components | ||
Do you want to purchase any of the above standards or any other relevant standard including product standards (Specifications), codes of practice or guidelines applicable to your product(s) or process(es)? Please click on: https://portal.rsb.gov.rw/
5. Objectives of technical assistance to SMEs operating in value chains under the scope of agricultural products
The prime goal for Zamukana Ubuziranenge(ZU) is to support SMEs in his journey toward S-Mark or System (QMS) certification. The certification requirements are found on the link below:
6. The list of certified clients, products and systems is accessible through:
7. How to reach out Zamukana Ubuziranenge Program for more information or application for Technical Assistance?
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