The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) was established through an Act of Parliament in 1975, the Standards Act 3. This Act became operational on 6 April 1976. Tanzania Bureau of Standards is a statutory body of the Government fully financed by the Government. The Bureau has six departments:

• Process Technology Standards Department with the following sections: chemical; textiles; agriculture;
• Engineering Standards Department with the following sections: Electrical engineering; Mechanical engineering; Building and construction; General techniques; Mining;
• Quality Management Department with the following sections: Quality Control; Inspectorate; Certification; Technical Assistance to Exporters;
• Testing and Calibration comprising the following test houses: Textile Laboratory; Chemicals Laboratory; Food and Microbiology Laboratory; Metrology Laboratory; Material Testing Laboratory;
• Documentation Department with the following sections: Information; Editing and reprography; ICT;
• Administration Department with the following sections: Accounts; Personnel; Office management; Materials management.

The main responsibility of the Bureau includes formulation of standards, metrology quality control, testing and calibration, and training.