PSQCA URGED TO GEAR UP TO ENFORCE STANDARDS

The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) felicitated the SMEs on the World’s Standards Day and commemorated 14th October in a meeting at the union’s office.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said the SMEs are conscious of the quality standards and are making efforts to achieve bench marks as per international standards.

He called upon the Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) working under the ministry of Science and Technology to play its due role and enforce strictly the conditions laid down for accrediting the agencies.

He also urged the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to work jointly with the PSQCA for upgrading the industries and taking the SME units to the next level.

Thaver emphasized the need for improving the packing besides the value addition of agri produce and hoped that SMEDA and PSQCA would work in this direction.

UNISAME committee lamented that the market is flooded with substandard goods dumped by overseas exporters and requested the PSQCA to take notice of substandard goods imported by merchants.

The union members also complained of counterfeit goods, foodstuffs and medicines being openly sold in the markets and stressed the urgent need for surprise visits by the PSQCA and seizing of goods and penal action against contraband, counterfeits and second copies of reputed brands deceiving the buyers.

The participants were reminded of the Buyer Beware slogan and requested not to encourage the violators. UNISAME demanded the setting up of complaint cell and advocated the need to set up the Best Practices Bureau as in foreign countries where the buyer could lodge complaint against substandard or inferior goods or services in contravention to promised goods or services.

This bureau would inculcate accountability amongst the manufacturers and services providers to offer goods or services as promised or declared in the specifications.

Posted in: Press Releases