Pakistan National Accreditation Council Ministry of Science and Technology Evacuee Trust Complex, F-5/1 *** Press Release Islamabad ----- Pakistan needs to incorporate the concept of productivity and Quality as part of its economic policy for a sustainable economic growth said Hassan Haider, Head Training Division, NPO while speaking in a seminar on “Quality and Productivity Tools 5S and Kaizen Management at International Islamic University (IIU) here on the other day. The seminar was organized by NPO in collaboration with Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) under its Crash Awareness Raising and Training Program in the field of Quality. He said that the key for success behind Asian tigers is the effective implementation of all these tools and techniques, which is still missing in our country. He stressed upon the students to share knowledge and utilize the experience they have gained in the session and pass on the maximum benefit to the industrial sector to face the future WTO challenges boldly and courageously. D:\106729978.doc PAKISTAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL Ministry of Science & Technology 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex, Aga Khan Road, F-5/1, Islamabad. Press Release Islamabad: Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), an autonomous organization of Ministry of Science & Technology, has achieved another landmark by securing the membership of International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The membership will help PNAC in its recognition at international level and facilitate the exporters of Pakistan in future trade. To secure the membership of IAF, PNAC has to complete lot of formalities in accordance with the international requirements including preparation and implementation of quality manual and working procedures and accreditation of conformity assessment bodies. The WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary & Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) lay emphasize on harmonization of conformity assessment procedure. Accreditation is the only acceptable means to give assurance to industry, exporters, importers, consumers and other stakeholders that accredited conformity assessment bodies are competent to demonstrate that they have implemented a system based on a national or international standard such as the Quality Management System (QMS) i.e. ISO 9000, and Environmental Management System (EMS) i.e. ISO 14000. It is worth mentioning that PNAC has already achieved the membership of Asia Pacific Lab Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and associate member of International Lab Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). The achievement of membership of these International bodies will definitely help Pakistan in developing International linkages to its advantage. D:\106729978.doc Pakistan National Accreditation Council Ministry of Science and Technology Evacuee Trust Complex, F-5/1 *** 15-9-2004 Press Release Islamabad ___ First ever three public sector laboratories which include PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Karachi, National Physical and Standard Laboratory (NPSL) Islamabad and Leather Research Centre Karachi, accredited by Pakistan National Accreditation Council will receive accreditation certificates in a graceful ceremony here at Institute of Cost & Management Accountants (ICMA) Hall Islamabad today (Wednesday). Federal Minister for Science and Technology Ch. Nouraiz Shakoor Khan will award the accreditation certificates. It is worth mentioning that landmark was achieved after a considerable and dedicated hard work in this new and emerging field by the scientists and engineers of PCSIR and Technical Experts of PNAC. Since accreditation is a new and emerging field, and no expertise were available in the country, PNAC approached initially international agencies to assist in developing accreditation program according to global requirements. With the help of foreign and local consultants necessary documents were prepared and accreditation services for testing and calibration laboratories and certification bodies were launched in 2001. At present, there are six public and private sector labs which have been accredited by PNAC. These accredited labs will play a vital role in meeting the requirements of intentional trade in the WTO regime. D:\106729978.doc The participants from different disciplines of medical professions appreciated the program and showed interest in health accreditation system. Such awareness programs would help in raising awareness among the health care stakeholders and ultimately improve the health services in the country. D:\106729978.doc PAKISTAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL Ministry of Science & Technology 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex, Aga Khan Road, F-5/1, Islamabad. Press Release Islamabad: Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), an autonomous organization of Ministry of Science & Technology, has achieved an other landmark by securing the membership of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the Supreme International Body in its field. It has opened the way for the PNAC to participate the General Assembly and Standing Committees meetings of ILAC, thus contributing in the international efforts and remaining updated in the accreditation field. PNAC will compose a team of experts for participation in these meetings and pave a way for signing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with other member accreditation bodies of potential trading countries to increase bilateral trade. The membership will help PNAC in its recognition at international level and facilitate the exports of Pakistan in future trade scenario. It is worth mentioning to note that in WTO agreements, the role of recognized accreditation bodies is very important to enhance international trade. The Government of Pakistan is putting lot of emphasis to enhance trade to earn foreign exchange and uplift the living standard of the common people. This recognition of PNAC at international level will help the Government to achieve the goal. D:\106729978.doc To secure the membership, PNAC has to complete lot of formalities in accordance with the international requirements such as preparation and implementation of quality manual and working procedures and accreditation of laboratories both for testing and calibration and the council has completed all the formalities successfully. The membership will also boost the confidence of national laboratories, which have been accredited with PNAC. The WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary & Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) lay emphasize on harmonization of conformity assessment procedure. Accreditation is the only acceptable means to give assurance to industry, exporters, importers, consumers and other stakeholders that accredited conformity assessment bodies including laboratories are competent to perform test or other requirements are fulfilled according to regulation or specifications. D:\106729978.doc PAKISTAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL Ministry of Science & Technology 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex, Aga Khan Road, F-5/1, Islamabad. Press Release Islamabad: Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), an autonomous organization of Ministry of Science & Technology, has achieved an other landmark by securing the membership of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the Supreme International Body in its field. It has opened the way for the PNAC to participate the General Assembly and Standing Committees meetings of ILAC, thus contributing in the international efforts and remaining updated in the accreditation field. PNAC will compose a team of experts for participation in these meetings and pave a way for signing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with other member accreditation bodies of potential trading countries to increase bilateral trade. The membership will help PNAC in its recognition at international level and facilitate the exports of Pakistan in future trade scenario. It is worth mentioning to note that in WTO agreements, the role of recognized accreditation bodies is very important to enhance international trade. The Government of Pakistan is putting lot of emphasis to enhance trade to earn foreign exchange and uplift the living standard of the common people. This recognition of PNAC at international level will help the Government to achieve the goal. To secure the membership, PNAC has to complete lot of formalities in accordance with the international requirements such as preparation and implementation of quality manual and D:\106729978.doc working procedures and accreditation of laboratories both for testing and calibration and the council has completed all the formalities successfully. The membership will also boost the confidence of national laboratories, which have been accredited with PNAC. The WTO agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary & Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) lay emphasize on harmonization of conformity assessment procedure. Accreditation is the only acceptable means to give assurance to industry, exporters, importers, consumers and other stakeholders that accredited conformity assessment bodies including laboratories are competent to perform test or other requirements are fulfilled according to regulation or specifications. D:\106729978.doc PAKISTAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION COUNCIL Ministry of Science & Technology 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex, Aga Khan Road, F-5/1, Islamabad. Press Release Islamabad: Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) will jointly work with the objective to improve Industrial and human quality and productivity for the ultimate aim of enhancing exports and accelerated economic development. The main purpose of this MoU is to establish working relationship between the PNAC and the CIIT to coordinate and organize jointly training seminars and courses under “Crash Awareness Raising & Training Program in the field of Quality”. In this connection a formal MoU between PNAC and CIIT was signed in the presence of Minister for Science and technology Mr. Nouraiz Shakoor Khan and Secretary MoST Kh. Zaheer Ahmed here at Islamabad. DG, PNAC Engr. Abdul Rashid and Dr. S M Zaidi signed the MoU. According to MoU The PNAC and the CIIT will coordinate with the local trade and industry associations and Chambers of Commerce & Industry, to identify their training needs and then conduct seminars/courses to train the personnel. The PNAC and the CIIT will look into the possibility of holding joint National Training Workshops by employing greener and cleaner production methods with special focus on enhancing exports and protecting environment. D:\106729978.doc