Managing records for ISO compliance: record keeping at the Botswana Meat Commission

Abstract

More and more companies in the developing world are desiring to export their products to the western world. How ever, in as much as the western world would wish to trade with developing countries, they need some assurance that the products are of the highest possible standards. To date the only standards that are recognized by both western and developing countries are ISO standards. The certification process demands among other things an assurance by the supplier that he (the supplier) has a well documented, effective and efficient procedures for maintaining all records pertaining to its products. This article looks at the case of Botswana Meat Commission, one of the major exporters of beef products in Africa, and shows the procedure it has followed to establish a quality system for managing its records.