Standardisation is instrumental in the creation of order in our technical world. Actually in broad sense we may say, it is an integral part of the existing economic, social and legal structure.
Therefore Standards play a very important and crucial role in modern technology as well as in agriculture sector of the country, provide acceptable norms and guidelines for determining the quality and serviceability of raw materials, finished product and process.
Being realised the importance and development of Metrology, Standards, Testing and Quality (MSTQ) infrastructure that provides an essential building block for industrial development in the country, the Government of Pakistan has decided to establish an Authority namely; Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) by merging former three organisations, these are Pakistan Standards Institution (PSI), Central Testing Laboratories (CTL) and Mental Industry Research Development Centre (MIRDC) by enactment through Act No VI of 1996, now these organisations are PSQCA's integral parts and denoted as component Centres, and in a position to provide one window services for standardisation and quality control more efficiently.
PSQCA is the recognised standard body in Pakistan, came into functioning since December 1, 2000, working with 81 scientists / engineers and 254 supporting staff as self finance organisation, being given the task not only formulation of Pakistan Standards, it is also responsible for promulgation thereof.
PSQCA is also a member body of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Electro-technical Commission (IEC), International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) and other regional organisations concerned with harmonisation of Standards.
The work of PSQCA is a technical - scientific service that is benefit to the whole of the national economy. Its scope is defined as the systematic standardisation of tangible and intangible objects by the mutual efforts of all interested parties for the benefit of the entire community. Further its work in Metrology, Standards, Testing, Quality Assurance and Export guidance is geared to enable the Pakistani Industrialist / Agriculturist to meet the quality needs of buyers at home and at abroad to meet the challenges of WTO regime.
PSQCA OBJECTIVES:
Setting up of standards on quality and dimensions, preparation and promotion of general adoption of Pakistan Standard Specifications, operation of Certification Marks System and co-ordination of the efforts of manufactures and consumers for the improvement of standardizations and to provide assistance thus in the manufacture of quality products.
Testing and assessment of industrial raw materials and finished products to establish their quality, grade and composition with reference to national or international standard specifications of quality in various fields like chemical products and formulations, textiles, food items, building materials, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic goods and appliances etc, and provision of consultancy services to industrial units in regard to the improvement of quality of their products.
Work on standardisation, improvement of analytical methods, procedures and consultancy / research in the field of metallurgy.
Inspection and testing of products and services for their quality specifications and characteristics during use and import and export purposes.
Grant, renewal, suspension, cancellation or withdraw of a license or certificate in relation to use of any of the Authority Marks.
Encouragement and implementation of Quality and Environmental Management Systems that is ISO: 9001-2000 and ISO: 14000 and assistance to local industries to obtain certifications for these systems.
Co-ordination and co-operation with other national, regional land international organisations, association, societies, institutions or councils, whether incorporate or not, whose objectives are wholly or in part similar to those of the Authority.
PSQCA ACTIVITIES:
-- Establishment of National Standards;
-- Enforcement of National Standards under compulsory/voluntary certification marks scheme;
-- Registration of inspection agencies;
-- Testing and assessment of industrial raw materials and finished products to established their quality, grade and composition with reference to national or diverse international specifications of quality in the fields like textile, chemical and mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic goods and appliances, building materials etc;
-- Assistance to metal working industry in product improvement, technological advancement and increased productivity;
-- Promotion of development of metallurgical techniques and skills in the country through the transfer of technology and expertise in the metallurgical fields;
-- Research and development (R&D) work on standardisation, on analytical / testing techniques in chemical and other field and on metallurgical techniques;
-- Dissemination of technical information about standardisation, quality control and metallurgical fields through seminars, workshops, symposia, press, print and electronic media to increase awareness about quality with the aim to create a quality conscious culture in the country;
STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (SDC):
SDC (formerly "Pakistan Standards Institution") National Standards Body of Pakistan was established under the administrative control of Ministry of Industries in 1951 at Karachi. SDC (formally PSI) was given statutory status in 1961 and has also been entrusted the responsibility for operating the Pakistan Standards Institution Certification Marks Scheme under Certification Marks Ordinance, 1961. SDC was transferred from Ministry of Industries to Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in May 1995. The Head Office of this Centre is still located at Karachi while the regional offices are located at Karachi (Sindh), Lahore (Punjab), Peshawar (N..W.F.P) and Quetta (Balochistan) with total staff of 152 personnel including 36 scientists / engineers. After the adoption of ISO / IEC standards, the number of Pakistan Standards has reached to 21000.
QUALITY CONTROL CENTRE (QCC):
QCC (formerly Central Testing Laboratories) was established in 1951 for assessment of quality and grade of industrial raw materials and finished products. The Head Office and main laboratories of this Centre are located in Karachi with branch office and laboratories at Lahore. A liaison office was established in 1995 in Peshawar. QCC is now working with a total staff of 140 personnel including 23 scientists / engineers.
The Centre undertakes testing and assessment of industrial raw materials and finished products to establish their quality, grade and dimensions with reference to national and international standard specifications of quality in the field of chemical, mechanical, engineering, electrical goods, and appliances, building materials, textile materials and provides scientific advice to industrial units to improve of their products.
TECHNICAL SERVICES CENTRE (TSC):
TSC, formerly "Metal Industry Research Development Centre (MIRDC) was established in Lahore in 1975 to assist the metal and metallurgical industries of Pakistan by solving their technical problems, increasing and improving productivity through transfer of technology, decreasing the wastes and to save foreign exchange through indigenous development of various components and alloys.
TSC is working with a total staff of 72 personnel including 18 scientists / engineers). The Centre services are of diverse nature and extend from short-term metallurgical investigations to long-term projects. The facilities and the expertise available from a complete set up ready for any quality control assignment.
The Centre also offers an outstanding array of skills with the professional expertise of highest qualified multi-disciplined team of engineers to carry out the activities: Product development, standardisation services, quality control and quality assurance, failure investigation, inspection services, solutions to shop floor problems through practical demonstrations, non-destructive, physical and chemical testing, technical audit and certification, short and long term training courses, seminars, workshops etc. The services of the Centre are widely utilised by automotive, agricultural, iron and steel foundaries, rolling mills land forging units, textile, defence, power generation, gas pipe line, chemical, cement and fertiliser industries.