Quality control: Standardised proficiency test for exports launched
Local laboratories officials trained to conform to global standards.
Group photo of experts on the occasion of launching ceremony of National Proficiency Testing Scheme at a local hotel in Islamabad. PHOTO INP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan launched the National Proficiency Testing (PT) services to improve the quality of exported commodities and consumer items through certification.
The PT services were launched on Thursday under the European Union-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) Programme , implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with International Trade Centre (ITC), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the National Physical and Standards Laboratory (NPSL), Pakistan.
The PT services will also work towards achieving international recognition by helping Pakistan conform to ISO standards for which NPSL will work closely with the Pakistan Accreditation Council.
Prior to this, all accreditation laboratories carried out PT through participation in an international PT scheme, which is not only expensive due to fees paid in dollars and euros, but also results in an outflow of foreign exchange.
Speaking on the occasion, experts said that PT is vital for further development of the Quality Infrastructure in Pakistan in line with the best international practices and will play a vital role in transforming country’s developing economy in to regional powerhouse.
Kamran Ali Qureshi, Science and Technology federal secretary, said that the TRTA set a target to accredit 24 laboratories in Pakistan by 2014 but so far 14 have been certified. He said that the PT service will help Pakistan improve the quality of its manufacturing goods and products to capture the international market.
“The EU market is open to us but capturing it by offering quality products is one of the biggest challenges,” he said.
Qureshi said that in Pakistan the private sector should play its part in carrying out research on improving the quality of the products rather than hoping from the government to do it all.
He noted that though there are many laboratories in Pakistan but they are not accredited due to which there is no focus on improvement.
“It is the responsibility of every manufacturer to ensure that what he is producing should satisfy its end-user because it is the right of every citizen to consume quality products,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2014.
Pakistan launched the National Proficiency Testing (PT) services to improve the quality of exported commodities and consumer items through certification.
The PT services were launched on Thursday under the European Union-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) Programme , implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in collaboration with International Trade Centre (ITC), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the National Physical and Standards Laboratory (NPSL), Pakistan.
The PT services will also work towards achieving international recognition by helping Pakistan conform to ISO standards for which NPSL will work closely with the Pakistan Accreditation Council.
Prior to this, all accreditation laboratories carried out PT through participation in an international PT scheme, which is not only expensive due to fees paid in dollars and euros, but also results in an outflow of foreign exchange.
Speaking on the occasion, experts said that PT is vital for further development of the Quality Infrastructure in Pakistan in line with the best international practices and will play a vital role in transforming country’s developing economy in to regional powerhouse.
Kamran Ali Qureshi, Science and Technology federal secretary, said that the TRTA set a target to accredit 24 laboratories in Pakistan by 2014 but so far 14 have been certified. He said that the PT service will help Pakistan improve the quality of its manufacturing goods and products to capture the international market.
“The EU market is open to us but capturing it by offering quality products is one of the biggest challenges,” he said.
Qureshi said that in Pakistan the private sector should play its part in carrying out research on improving the quality of the products rather than hoping from the government to do it all.
He noted that though there are many laboratories in Pakistan but they are not accredited due to which there is no focus on improvement.
“It is the responsibility of every manufacturer to ensure that what he is producing should satisfy its end-user because it is the right of every citizen to consume quality products,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2014.