'License holders being monitored through quarterly inspection': PSQCA informs National Assembly

Minister for Science and Technology Muhammad Azam Khan Swati informed the National Assembly (NA) here on Friday that the license holders of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) are monitored through quarterly inspection, sampling programme and testing of open market samples.
In a written reply to the House, he said that Director General, PSQCA has license issuing authority to the bottlers of potable water under section 14 of PSQCA Act. Under the licensing procedure, the PSQCA in terms of PSQCA Act is to regulate the article notified by the federal government for their quality.
The manufacturers applies for grant/renewal of Certification Mark (CM) license, along with application fee of Rs 1000 and license fee of Rs 5,000 for each brand, in the form of pay order/demand draft. The regional office then deputes field officer for inspection of the unit. Field officer checks their manufacturing capability and quality control infrastructure.
Three random samples are collected from the unit and sealed. The sample No 1 is sent for testing to an independent lab, the second is retained in the unit and the third sample is kept by the authority. During the inspection, field officer also tests the sample in unit laboratory as per relevant Pakistan standards. If the sample fails, the unit is advised to remove the defects and inform the office for re-sampling.
Upon receipt of test report from independent lab and after analysis, if it conforms to Pakistan Standards, the case for CM license is submitted to Director (CA) for further necessary action. The Director (CA) office re-examine the case and forward to the Director General, PSQCA for approval. On approval from Director General PSQCA, the CM license is issued to the unit, Minister for Science and Technology added.