Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has advised Pakistan Railways to ensure compliance of quality directives before offering selling rights to leading manufacturers of mineral water.
In a letter sent to the Chairman, Pakistan Railways regarding its advertisement relating to pre-qualification for sale of mineral water on Pakistan Railways network throughout Pakistan, PSQCA has informed him that the Authority has mandate to formulate Pakistan Standards and regulate the enforcement.
Presently 50 items fall under compulsory Certification Marks Scheme (CMS) of PSQCA including natural mineral water and bottled drinking water, which implies that the manufacturing, selling and keeping in stock of said products is subject to Conformity Assessment Certification (CAC) by PSQCA under the PS mark.
It has further been explained that the term "mineral water" generally denotes mineral water taken directly from springs and bottled drinking water may come from such sources as wells and rivers, etc. PSQCA covers both type ie mineral water as well as bottled drinking water. Mineral water in our country, however, is rather scant as there are just two brands ie Springley by Qarshi and Abe Hayat. Thus, Nestle, Aquafina and Kinley etc and all others are bottled drinking water and not mineral water.
Pakistan Railways being the government organisation has, therefore, been advised to ensure compliance of the quality directive issued by PSQCA before allotting the contract to the suppliers possessing valid certification marks licenses issued in their favour by the Authority.
Pakistan Railways has an annual estimated passenger traffic of about 80 million on its network, with over 1500 vending stalls, thus creating one of the largest captive markets in the country. The stations provide an excellent environment for public and private organisations to target a huge consumer base. Interested companies shall be pre-qualified and selected on the basis of criteria as laid down by Pakistan Railways authorities.