Standards are designed to ensure that mistakes do not occur. Implementation of all international standards is an investment in good quality products. These improve the health of the individual and the community, as well as benefit the world economy. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has recognised the important role of international standards in global trade. These standards give great importance to cooperation with WTO in achieving common goals.
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) recognises the important contribution that international standards and conformed assessment system can make towards improving efficiency of production and facilitating international trade.
Standards represent a level of know-how and technology which render the presence of industry to its preparation indispensable. These are reference documents used in particular in the context of public contracts or in that of international trade and on which the majority of commercial contracts rely.
Implementation of international standards such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000, CE Marking, GMP, SA 8000 (Social Accountability) and WRAP is a healthy sign for futuristic approach. This approach has benefited the involved organisations by developing of process, quality assurance, supplier's performance, equipment, statistical review, staff training, environmental responsibilities, social responsibilities, defined technology, accumulation database of quantitative information and on the top satisfaction of the customers.
WHAT IS A STANDARD?
Standard is a document, established by consensus and approved by a recognised body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: The standard is a collective work. The national standard is programmed and studied under the authority of the national standards body. It is therefore protected, as early as at the draft standard stage, by a copyright belonging to the national body.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: When the large majority of products or services in a particular business or industry sector conform to International Standards, a state of industry-wide standardisation can be said to exist. This is achieved through consensus agreements between national delegations representing all the economic stakeholders concerned - suppliers, users, government regulators and other interest groups, such as consumers.
They agree on specifications and criteria to be applied consistently in the classification of materials, in the manufacture and supply of products, in testing and analysis, in terminology and in the provision of services.
International standards are protected by the copyright of the international standards body (ISO, IEC). The exploitation right of this copyright is automatically transferred to the national standards bodies which comprise the membership of ISO or IEC, for the purpose of drawing up national standards.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION: International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) was established in 1906, pioneering work in other fields was carried out by the International Federation of the National Standardising Associations (ISA), which was set up in 1926. The emphasis within ISA was laid heavily on mechanical engineering. ISA's activities came to an end in 1942.
In 1946, delegates from 25 countries met in London and decided to create a new international organisation, of which the object was "to facilitate the international co-ordination and unification of industrial standards". The new organisation, International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), officially began operations on 23 February 1947.
HOW ISO STANDARDS BENEFIT?
ISO Standards benefit the Exporter/Supplier as well as the consumer. The widespread adoption of International Standards means that suppliers can base the development of their products and services on specifications that have wide acceptance in their sectors and the world-wide compatibility of technology which is achieved when products and services are based on International Standards brings them an increasingly wide choice of offers, and they also benefit from the effects of competition among suppliers.
ISO STANDARDS FAMILIES: The ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 families are among ISO's most widely known standards ever. ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards are implemented by some 634 000 organisations in 152 countries.
The vast majority of ISO standards are highly specific to a particular product, material, or process. However, the standards that have earned the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 families a world-wide reputation are known as "generic management system standards".
"Generic" means that the same standards can be applied:
-- to any organisation, large or small, whatever its product;
-- including whether its "product" is actually a service;
-- in any sector of activity; and whether it is a business enterprise, a public administration, or a government department.
"Generic" also signifies that no matter what the organisation's scope of activity, if it wants to establish a quality management system or an environmental management system, then such a system has a number of essential features for which the relevant standards of the ISO 9000 or ISO 14000 families provide the requirements.
"Management system" refers to the organisation's structure for managing its processes - or activities - that transform inputs of resources into a product or service which meet the organisation's objectives, such as satisfying the customer's quality requirements, complying with regulations, or meeting environmental objectives.
ISO 9000: ISO 9000 has become an international reference for quality management requirements in business-to-business dealings. The ISO 9000 Standards are primarily concerned with "quality management". This means what the organisation does to fulfil:
-- the customer's quality requirements; and
-- applicable regulatory requirements, while aiming to
-- enhance customer satisfaction, and
-- achieve continual improvement of its performance in pursuit of these objectives.
ISO 14000: ISO 14000 is well on the way to achieving as much, if not more, in enabling organisations to meet their environmental challenges.
It is primarily concerned with "environmental management". This means what the organisation does to:
-- minimise harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities, and to
-- achieve continual improvement of its environmental performance.
CE - MARKING: The CE mark is a mandatory European marking for certain product groups to indicate conformity with the essential health and safety requirements set out in European Directives.
The letters 'CE' are an abbreviation of Conformité Européenne, French for European Conformity. European conformity is certified by following clear and understandable procedures, the so-called 'conformity assessment procedures'.
Without the CE marking, and thus without complying with the provisions of the directives, the product may not be placed in the market or put into service in the fifteen member states of the European Union and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. However, if the product meets the provisions of the applicable European Directives, and the CE mark is affixed to a product, these countries may not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing in the market or putting into service of the product.
Thus, CE marking can be regarded as the products trade passport for Europe.
PRODUCTS THE CE MARKING APPLIES TO: The CE mark is applicable to: medical devices, machinery, industrial installations, toys, electrical equipment, electronics, domestic appliances, pressure equipment, personal protective equipment, recreational craft, refrigerators etc.
CE CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE: The CE certification procedure has been mainly set up to:
1. Harmonise all varying national regulations for consumer and industrial products in European Member States, so that the single market is encouraged;
2. Bring about cost savings for producers;
3. Enhance the safety of products;
4. Supply public bodies with a uniform procedure that can be checked.
Formerly, product requirements and test procedures were set by the member states of the EU. This meant that, for example, companies that wanted to sell their products on the European market sometimes had to deal with more than ten different technical requirements or procedures for just one product. The existence of all the different national legislation was contrary to the aim of the European Union in realising one Single Market, in which there would be a free circulation of goods (as well as a free circulation of persons, services and capital).
The CE marking is consequently largely for the benefit of the authorities. However, safe products are also necessary for the end user in the work or consumer environment.
AFFIXING OF THE CE MARKING LOGO: The CE marking must be affixed to the product, to its data plate or, where this is not possible or not warranted due to the nature of the product, to its packaging, if any, and to the accompanying documents by the manufacturer, the authorised representative in the Community or, in exceptional cases, by those responsible for placing the product on the market. The CE marking must be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly. Where special provisions do not impose specific dimensions, it must have a height of at least five millimetres.
CE MARKING CONFIRMS:
-- that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislations, in practice by many of the so-called product directives.
-- that product may be legally placed on the market in their country.
-- that the product ensures the free movement of the product within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Union (EU) single market (total 28 countries), and
-- that the product permits the withdrawal of the non-conforming products by customs and enforcement/vigilance authorities.
HOW CE MARKING BENEFITS:
-- With CE Mark the products can easily gain access to the entire EU plus EFTA market.
-- There will be only one set of laws and regulations for the entire marketplace which guide the designing, manufacturing and labelling of products. The multiple and conflicting national restrictions on regulated products will be eliminated.
-- Thus the CE marking on the product will make trade with EU countries cheaper and easier.
-- The product will be made safer for consumers and thus the damage claims and liability premiums will be reduced.
GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE: Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards which promulgated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is also sometimes referred to as "cGMP". The "c" stands for "current," reminding manufacturers that they must employ technologies and systems which are up-to-date in order to comply with the regulation.
These regulations, which have the force of law, require that manufacturers, processors, and packagers of drugs, medical devices, some food, and blood take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure, and effective. It helps assure that life sciences products are safe and effective for their intended application.
Some thirty years ago there was little in the way of a structured approach to GMP nor to the management of quality in many industries, and the medical device industry was no exception.
Since that time we have seen the development of GMP in the medical device industry, and its successful application not only as a regulatory tool, but also as a management tool. There is no doubt that product quality, and hence patient safety, has improved as a result.
GMP covers all aspects of production; from the starting materials, premises and equipment to the training and personal hygiene of staff. Detailed, written procedures are essential for each process that could affect the quality of the finished product. There must be systems to provide documented proof that correct procedures are consistently followed at each step in the manufacturing process - every time a product is made.
HOW GMP CERTIFICATE BENEFITS: Most countries will only accept import and sale of products that have been manufactured to internationally recognised GMP, so it is entail to obtain the GMP Certificate to get maximum access around the world.
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related production and by training the inspectors in GMP requirements.
SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY: Social Accountability is a measure of an organisation's commitment to its stated principals, its stakeholders and its impact on the society. Social Accountability help to have a much clearer understanding of the need of mange social, ethical and environmental impacts of an organisation.
SOCIAL COMPLIANCES: Social compliances are the end product of social accountability. Social compliances are a vital part of business strategy for supply chain management. Many companies have designed the social compliance programs for their vendor factories. Most important component of compliance is legal compliance to the local labour and environmental laws as well as implementation of codes of conduct of the organisation in the vendor factories in countries like China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and so on. These codes basically comprise labour standards, health and safety standards, local labor laws and environmental standards.
SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 8000 (SA 8000): Social Accountability 8000 (SA 8000) was launched in 1997 by CEPAA - Council on Economics Priorities Accreditation Agency, later renamed to SAI - Social Accountability International. SA8000 is the first global standard for corporate social responsibility. SA8000 is based on both international human rights´ conventions (International Labour Organisation, the International Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) and satisfying relevant local legislation. It aims to guarantee basic rights of workers involved in the production processes.
AREA REQUIRES TO MEET:
1. Child labour is not permitted
2. Forced labour is not permitted
3. Health and safety have to be assured
4. Freedom to organise and collective bargaining have to be guaranteed
5. Discrimination is not permitted
6. Disciplinary practices are not permitted
7. Working hours shall not exceed 48 hrs a week with a maximum of 12 hrs overtime
8. Remuneration shall be sufficient
9. Management systems shall guarantee that the requirements are effectively satisfied
1. CHILD LABOUR:
No workers under the age of 15 (or 14 years under certain conditions); remediation of any child found to be working. No engagement in the use of child labour.
2. FORCED LABOUR:
No forced labour, including prison or debt bondage labour; no lodging of deposits or identity papers by employers or outside recruiters. No lodging of deposits or identity papers upon employment.
3. HEALTH AND SAFETY:
Provide a safe and healthy work environment; take steps to prevent injuries; regular health and safety worker training; system to detect threats to health and safety; access to bathrooms and potable water and access to emergency or accident facilities.
4. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING:
Respect the right to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively; where law prohibits these freedoms, facilitate parallel means of association and bargaining.
5. DISCRIMINATION:
No discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, union or political affiliation, or age.
6. DISCIPLINE:
No corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse.
7. WORKING HOURS:
Comply with the applicable law but, in any event, no more than 48 hours per week with at least one day off for every seven day period; voluntary overtime paid at a premium rate and not to exceed 12 hours per week on a regular basis; overtime may be mandatory if part of a collective bargaining agreement.
8. COMPENSATION:
Wages paid for a standard workweek must meet the legal and industry standards and be sufficient to meet the basic need of workers and their families; no disciplinary deductions. Wages and benefits must be detailed clearly and regularly. Compensation must be in monetary from (as cash or cheque). No labour only contracting arrangements or false apprenticeship to by-pass legal requirements.
9. MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS:
Facilities seeking to gain and maintain certification must go beyond simple compliance to integrate the standard into their management systems and practices.
WHY BECOME SA 8000 CERTIFIED?
It is necessary to become SA 8000 certified for a company to develop and implement effective labour practices and to create long term relationships between the company and its stakeholders. By certifying SA 8000, companies achieve international standard and enhance credibility and generate positive sentiment for the company and its products. They also reduce the number of second party audits of suppliers.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT SA 8000?
PREPARATION:
-- Management commitment
-- Nominate responsible personnel;
-- Self-assessment;
-- Consider appointing a consultant or a local NGO to help set up a social accountability management system;
-- Implementation;
-- Write documentation;
-- Train the staff;
-- Implement the system;
-- Maintain records;
-- Audit;
-- Pre-audit;
-- Formal audit;
-- Certification;
-- Continuous improvement;
-- Surveillance audit (every 6 months to one year);
-- Renewal audit (every 3 years).
WORLDWIDE RESPONSIBLE APPAREL PRODUCTION: The objective of the World-wide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP) Certification is to promote and certify lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing throughout the world. It is a factory-based certification program that facilitates to participate in the Programme voluntarily and agrees that an independent monitor will evaluate the facility for compliance with the Principles.
These World-wide Responsible Apparel Production Principles are the core standards for production facilities participating in the World-wide Responsible Apparel Production Certification Programme. The Programme's objective is to independently monitor and certify compliance with these socially responsible global standards for manufacturing, and ensure that sewn products are produced under lawful, humane and ethical conditions.
Participating companies voluntarily agree that their production and that of their contractors will be certified by the wrap certification programme as complying with these standards.
WRAP CERTIFICATION COMPLIANCES: Compliance with laws and workplace regulations manufacturers of sewn products will comply with laws and regulations in all locations where they conduct business.
Prohibition of forced labour manufacturers of sewn products will not use involuntary or forced labour - indentured, bonded or otherwise.
Prohibition of child labour manufacturers of sewn products will not hire any employee under the age of 14, or under the age interfering with compulsory schooling, or under the minimum age established by law, whichever is greater.
Prohibition of harassment or abuse manufacturers of sewn products will provide a work environment free of harassment, abuse or corporal punishment in any form.
Compensation and benefits manufacturers of sewn products will pay at least the minimum total compensation required by local law, including all mandated wages, allowances and benefits.
Hours of work hours worked each day, and days worked each week, shall not exceed the legal limitations of the countries in which apparel is produced. Manufacturers of sewn products will provide at least one day off in every seven-day period, except as required to meet urgent business needs.
Prohibition of discrimination manufacturers of sewn products will employ, pay, promote, and terminate workers on the basis of their ability to do the job, rather than on the basis of personal characteristics or beliefs.
Health and safety manufacturers of sewn products will provide a safe and healthy work environment. Where residential housing is provided for workers, manufacturers of sewn products will provide safe and healthy housing.
Freedom of association and collective bargaining manufacturers of sewn products will recognise and respect the right of employees to exercise their lawful rights of free association and collective bargaining.
Environment manufacturers of sewn products will comply with environmental rules, regulations and standards applicable to their operations, and will observe environmentally conscious practices in all locations where they operate.
Customs compliance manufacturers of sewn products will comply with applicable customs laws, and in particular, will establish and maintain programs to comply with customs laws regarding illegal transshipment of sewn products.
Security manufacturers of sewn products will maintain facility security procedures to guard against the introduction of non-manifested cargo into outbound shipments (ie drugs, explosives biohazards and/or other contraband).
STEP 1: WRAP certification programme registration and self-assessment
Facility sends the registration form and appropriate application fee to WRAP to initiate the certification process. The facility will have six (6) months from the date of registration to fully satisfy certification requirements. The facility must send to both the selected monitor and WRAP the completed Self-Assessment Package (Facility Profile Questionnaire, Production Principles Questionnaire and Documentation Checklist) from the Production Facility Self-Assessment and Monitoring Handbook.
The issued registration number must include on all official documents and correspondence with WRAP.
STEP 2: Request for WRAP compliance evaluation - independent monitoring
An independent monitor will perform an on-site compliance evaluation at your facility. The on-site compliance evaluation will verify whether your facility has the required evidence to demonstrate compliance with the WRAP Production Principles and the independent monitor will send a copy of the completed Facility Monitoring Report and certification recommendation to the WRAP Certification Board.
STEP 3: WRAP certification - final review
The WRAP Certification Board will review and assess all relevant compliance evaluation reports and evidences. The WRAP Certification Board grants certification to qualified participating facilities for a period of one year.
Pakistani products are well demanded in the whole world but these still need to respond effectively to buyer demand for "clean and green" supply chain. It is only possible if we understand the importance of world-wide recognised standards and their harmonisation.