The importance of quality in industry, Trade and Commerce and in the development of technology needs no justification "Nothing sells like quality" and hence no nation or country can compete or survive without giving due importance to quality in its trade and industry.
It becomes more important especially for those developing countries who intend to compete in the international markets and to enhance their technology in the interest of prosperity of their countries. The countries of the World which are implementing the quality system in their industries are making tremendous national progress.
All the developed and developing countries have and are strictly monitoring the implementation of quality control schemes in their trades and industries. The responsibility for the development and promotion of quality culture (ie effective implementation of quality and quality control) at national level is a broad societal spectrum ranging from Govt. to consumers.
The unbridled Industrial growth has led to the production of sub standard foods in the country. In addition, Pakistan being mainly a users market, the markets are full of sub-standard materials. The Western countries have imposed sanctions on Pakistan exports due to non-conformity of Pakistani products to ISO-standards.
Standards are documented agreements containing technical specifications or other criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines or definitions of characteristics to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose. It is very important for the industry to strictly follow the standard specifications for the manufacturing of quality products. In order to check the quality of Industrial products every industry should have a Quality Control Laboratory with latest instruments and qualified staff.
The importance of quality related issues becomes more obvious when viewed through the eyes of manufacturers which suddenly discovers that its product is not accepted for export as it does not conform to the required standards. If our manufacturers want to compete effectively in the International markets they must follow the standard specifications, while manufacturing the product. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to trade commits to use International Standards and the conformity assessment procedures for the development of free trade world-wise.
Depending on the industry it is the market to compete in or the nation in which its business in based. Finally there is the all important market place where the products are viewed with quality manufactured according to relevant standards and wins the favour of consumers.
The globalisation of trade has clearly changed the face of Commerce with new markets opening up around the world. It is very much regretted that most of the products manufactured in our country do not conform to the international standards and hence finds no place in the international markets, resulting loss to the economy of the country. Today WTO has recognised the important role of international standards in global trade. The TBT Committee has developed six principles that should be observed by International Standardising Bodies.
THESE PRINCIPLES ARE: Transparency, Openness, Impartiality and consensus effectiveness and relevance, coherence and development dimension. ISO demonstrate that all these principles are integral part of ISO. No firm no matter how dominant in the market today ignore the importance of quality of a product and its conformity to the relevant standards. In short companies and countries can used International standards not only to eliminate technical barriers to trade but also to advance their competitiveness and their economic interests.