To the average person, the word standardisation might appear meaningless, but Standardisation has become an important factor in nearly every aspect of our daily lives because of its impact on our health, safety and economic prosperity.
We buy certain foods because we are confident in the quality, that they are hygienic and not a threat to our health. These health and safety requisites are made possible through standardisation. Standardisation ensures products are of a certain quality and are safe for use. Consumers, traders and service providers all gain from standardisation, whether the standards promoted are voluntary or compulsory. Standardisation raises level of quality and reliability; and provides the following assurances:
-- Consumer confidence in products and services;
-- Greater consistency and efficiency in the delivery of services;
-- Operational compatibility between products,
-- Ensures products are safe and more environmentally friendly,
-- Creates greater access to markets and wider choices for consumers.
Adopting international standards for goods and services will improve product quality and so enhance our ability to compete in the global market.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
There are numerous economic benefits to be gained through standardisation especially now that globalisation has opened the doors to international trade. Markets are more accessible and consumers have a wide variety of choices. Free trade presents numerous economic benefits, but there are also challenges brought on by increased competition. Standardisation seeks to address these issues for the protection of consumers, traders and service providers and provide equity in trade. In order to achieve balance of trade in the global market, standards are needed that clearly define performance requirements, specify interfaces and describe systems.
STANDARDS IN MANUFACTURING:
The economic benefits of standardisation are vast and our manufacturers need to realise the importance of producing goods, which meet international standards. If we produce superior quality goods, markets will definitely become more accessible as technical barriers to trade will be broken down.
Our aim must therefore be to satisfy customer requirements and so ensure that our goods and services are accepted anywhere in the world. By manufacturing to standards we will be able to confidently display our products on the same shelf as those products made in China, Japan, the United States and other developed countries.
IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY:
We could discuss a lot about the economic benefits of International standards. But there is also great emphasis on developing safer, healthier, more environmentally sound products.
If we have in place, legislation through standardisation to ensure the health and safety of consumers and traders. These include the Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority Act, Pure Food Rules and the Weights and Measures Act. Under these acts, there are mandatory labelling and packaging standards to which products must conform before their final destiny.
Legislation has made it mandatory that pre-packaged goods sold in Pakistan are labelled properly, and include the proper name of the product, an accurate declaration of the contents, an accurate description of the ingredients, an expiry, as well as, the name and identifiable business address of the processor, manufacturer, packer, importer or distributor and the country of origin. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Certification (HACCP certification) before an agreement on health and safety standards with other governments could lead to free access to the global market for our products.
There are many technicalities involved in food processing and we are cognisant of the difficulties that exporters face such as meeting repetitive "conformity assessment requirements".
This involves multiple testing and certification of goods during trading across borders, which is often quite costly to exporters. New ISO Standards and guidelines are now aimed at reducing the cost of conformity assessment by having certification bodies recognise the results of each other's inspections and analyses through MRA's of goods traded on the international market.
The overall aim is to reduce the expense and inconvenience of multiple testing, certification and assessment, by having a product tested once from an internationally recognised / accredited testing house and the results accepted in all markets. Such a move will significantly benefit exporters especially those in developing countries like Pakistan by helping to lower technical barriers to trade. The result would be lower manufacturing costs, greater competition, and lower prices for consumers.
THE WAY FORWARD:
Standardisation can only have a positive impact on any economy and consumers. The way forward is for manufacturers, service providers and consumers to recognise and embrace the value of standards in goods and services. The national standards body of ISO, IEC and OIML is Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority formulating national standard on industrial product after ensuring harmonisation with internationally recognised standards.
We urge our manufacturers and service providers to aspire for superior products and services. It's a small price to pay for huge rewards. See Standardisation for what it is - the way forward in a global village. Make standardisation work for you.