Certification mark: 61 food, non-food items to be included in PSQCA scheme

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to include 61 food and non-food items in the compulsory certification mark scheme of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), a statutory body working under the administrative control of Ministry of Science and Technology.

Sharing details, sources said, a summary titled " inclusion of 61 food and non-food items in the compulsory certification mark scheme of PSQCA" was submitted to the Cabinet. On May 5, 2020, the Cabinet directed that the Ministry of Science and Technology convene a detailed consultative meeting with the Minister for Industries and Production and Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce and Investment and resubmit the case.

In pursuance of the Cabinet decision, series of meetings were held to deliberate on the items list and a consensus was evolved. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Standard Organisation of any country is responsible for highlighting the health and safety issues and formulating food and non-food standards for enforcement to ensure health and safety of consumers. PSQCA has formulated standards after detailed deliberations with experts.

All scientific values essential for health and safety of consumers are specified in the standards. Justification for inclusion of these items is compulsory in the certification mark scheme of PSQCA. National Quality Standards of these items have already been developed by PSQCA and laboratory testing facilities are also available.

The proposed items are as follows: (i) shaving cream;(ii) skin powder; (iii) hair cream; (iv) multi nutrient fertilizer; (v) bio fertilizer;(vi) Ammonium Sulphate (fertilizer); (vii) Potassium Sulphate (fertilizer grade); (xiii) passenger car tyres and rims part 1(tyres);(ix) rubber tyres for bicycles; (x) single use sterile surgical glove;(xi) chemical admixture for concrete; (xii) sanitary taps ;(xiii) buried polyethylene (PE) pipes for supply of gaseous metric series- specification; (xiv) polyethylene (PE); (xv) polypropylene pipes: (xvi) polypropylene (PP) pipes- dimensions; (xvii) polyethylene up right storage tanks; (xviii) medical diagnostic X-ray equipment-radiation conditions for use in the determination of characteristics ( 1st revision- replaced PS-4246/1998);(xix) Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS) part 1: general and safety requirements for UPS;(xx UPS- part 2: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC); (xxi) UPS-part 3: method of specifying the performance and test requirements;(xxii) UPS part 4: environmental aspect- requirement and reporting; (xxiii) UPS-part 5-3: DC output UPS- performance and test requirements; (xxiv) coaxial communication cables-part 1-1000: electrical test methods-general requirements; (xxv) coaxial communication cables-part 1-101: electrical test methods- test for conductor d.c. resistance of cable; (xxvi) coaxial communication cables-part 1-102: electrical test methods-test for insulation resistance of cable dielectric;(xxvii) Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) and energy star rating for television receivers;(xxviii) sound system equipment-part 5: loudspeakers; (xxix) sound system equipment-part 7: headphones and earphones;(xxx) medical electrical equipment-dosimeters with ionization chambers as used in radiotherapy;(xxxi) hot-rolled carbon steel sheet of commercial and drawing qualities; (xxxii) cold reduced carbon steel sheet of commercial and drawing qualities; (xxxiii) heat-treatable steels, alloy steels and free-cutting steels part 4: free-cutting steels;(xxxiv) safety of amusement rides and amusement devices-part-2: operation and use;(xxxv) safety of amusement rides and amusement devices- part-2: operation and use;(xxxvi) safety of amusement rides and amusement devices-part-3: requirements for inspection during design, manufacture, operation and use; (xxxvii) lighters - safety specification; (xxxviii) aluminum and aluminum alloys-casting-chemical composition and mechanical properties; (xxxix) spectacle frames- requirement and test methods; (xxxx) standard practice for preparation of paint brushes for evaluation;(xxxxi) switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations part-1 general requirements; (xxxxii) switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations part-2:1 particular requirements-electronics switches; (xxxxiii) secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes secondary lithium cells and batteries for portable application; (xxxiv) cloth washing machine for household use; (xxxxv) multiple split-system air-conditioners and air to air heat pumps; (xxxxvi) non-ducked air conditioners and heat pump; (xxxxvii) electric irons for household or similar use; (xxxxviii) plug & socket outlets household and similar purposes-part-1-General Requirements; (xxxxix) plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes-part 2-1: particular requirements for fused plugs ;(xxxxx) plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes-part 2-2: particular requirements for socket-outlets for appliances;(xxxxxi) plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes-part 2-3: particular requirements for switched socket-outlets without interlock for fixed installation ;(xxxxxii) plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes-part 2-4: particular requirements for plugs and socket-outlets for SELV; (xxxxxiii) plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes- part 2-5: particular requirements for adaptors; (xxxxxiv) plugs and socket-outlets fro household and similar purposes -part 2-6: particular requirements for switched socket-outlets with interlock for fixed electrical installations; (xxxxxv) plug and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes-part 2-7: particular requirements for cord extension sets; (xxxxxvi) household micro waves ovens; (xxxxxvii) plugs and socket outlets( PS: IEC: 60906-1); (xxxxxviii) olive/virgin and refined olive pomace oil; (xxxxxix) coffee& its preparation; (xxxxxx) fortified wheat flour (Aata) and (xxxxxxi) fruit juices and nectars.

The list of 61 items has been divided into two separate SROs (SRO-1 and SRO-II). SRO includes food, chemicals and electronic items while SRO-II pertains to electrical plugs, switches, sockets and their safety standards.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020