Ahsan Munir<\/p>\n
Recognising the importance of metrology, stan\u00addards, testing, and quality as foundational el\u00adements for industrial development, the Gov\u00adernment of Pakistan (GoP) established the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to provide streamlined services for standardi\u00adsation and conformity assessment in the local industry. PSQCA\u2019s mission is to foster a qual\u00adity-centric business culture by setting stan\u00addards and conducting conformity assessments, thereby promoting industrial efficiency, ensur\u00ading high-quality products for consumers, boosting exports, and contributing to the national economy. To enhance its capability, PSQCA is a member of several in\u00adternational bodies and has signed MoUs with quality in\u00adstitutions in various regional countries.
\nPSQCA operates through various departments, offering services across different sectors. The Directorate of Stan\u00addards is responsible for the formulation of standards for industries such as automotive, civil engineering, agricul\u00adture, food, and chemicals. The Conformity Assessment section regulates product quality and has certification of\u00adfices in major industrial cities. The Quality Control Cen\u00adtre (QCC) operates multifunctional testing laboratories, providing services in areas like food, materials, and paper testing. Meanwhile, the System Certification Centre func\u00adtions as an independent body offering training and work\u00adshops on ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. The Technical Services Centre (TSC) sup\u00adports metal and metallurgical industries, offering advice on technology transfer to boost productivity and work\u00ading on the indigenisation of components and alloys. TSC is staffed by a team of engineers and scientists. Addi\u00adtionally, PSQCA provides online access to Pakistan Stan\u00addards for various industries and operates a Certification Marks Scheme, which allows manufacturers to substanti\u00adate their claims of product conformity. This certification gives consumers the assurance that they are purchasing quality products that offer good value for money.
\nIn light of current market challenges and to refine PSQCA\u2019s focus on its regulatory role, certain recom\u00admendations are under consideration. With GoP priva\u00adtising public sector organisations or engaging in pub\u00adlic-private partnerships for more efficient management, PSQCA services (such as TSC, QCC, and ISO certifica\u00adtion) could be better managed in collaboration with ac\u00adademia and local chambers of commerce and indus\u00adtry (LCCI). Academic institutions across Pakistan are equipped with laboratories in disciplines like electrical, mechanical, civil, and metallurgical engineering, mak\u00ading them well-placed to offer industry services more effectively and efficiently. This partnership would not only strengthen academia-industry linkages but also enable PSQCA to concentrate on its regulatory duties, helping local industries to become more competitive.
\nAdditionally, while PSQCA has signed MoUs with var\u00adious countries, there is a lack of detailed information on the measurable outcomes of these agreements. Sim\u00adilarly, PSQCA claims its Certification Marks Scheme has improved firm efficiency, but no quantifiable metrics are provided to substantiate these claims. The author\u00adity\u2019s mission statement includes a commitment to help local industries compete internationally, but little in\u00adformation is available on its role in boosting exports. Furthermore, while sustainable development\u2014often related to waste recycling, biodegradable materials, and energy-efficient products\u2014is part of PSQCA\u2019s vi\u00adsion, there is limited information on its efforts to re\u00adduce industrial pollution through the adoption of envi\u00adronmentally friendly technologies.
\nTo align with GoP\u2019s broader strategy, PSQCA should consider divesting assets and responsibilities that could be more efficiently handled through academia-industry collaborations, freeing up resources for its core regula\u00adtory functions. The organisation should also legislate to support industries such as automotive and consum\u00ader goods (e.g. refrigerators, TVs, air conditioners) in en\u00adhancing value addition and becoming more export-ori\u00adented. Each of PSQCA\u2019s functions should define yearly, measurable performance indicators aligned with the organisation\u2019s scope. Furthermore, efforts should be made to guide industries towards technological up\u00adgrades for improved product quality. Papers and stud\u00adies from academia and the business sector could also be solicited to assist GoP in meeting its export goals and advancing sustainable development initiatives.<\/p>\n
The writer is a freelance columnist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ahsan Munir Recognising the importance of metrology, stan\u00addards, testing, and quality as foundational el\u00adements for industrial development, the Gov\u00adernment of Pakistan (GoP) established the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to provide streamlined services for standardi\u00adsation and conformity assessment in the local industry. PSQCA\u2019s mission is to foster a qual\u00adity-centric business culture by setting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13113],"class_list":{"0":"post-432601","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-ahsan-munir"},"yoast_head":"\n