IEP holds talks on importance of labs’ accreditation 

Islamabad

The Institution of Engineers Pakistan Rawalpindi-Islamabad Centre (IEP-RIC) held interactive talks on importance of laboratories’ accreditation to ensure quality of public services and consumers’ goods.

The talks, with a technical lecture by Engineer Captain (r) Najamuddin, former Director General Pakistan National Accreditation Council who also served about 27 years in Pakistan Air Force covered various aspects relating to accreditation of laboratories, mainly those working in health and trade sectors. It was participated among others by the IEP-RIC’s President Engineer Hafiz M. Ehsanul Haq Qazi and Secretary Engineer Shafiqur Rehman.

The talks were the part continuing professional development series that aimed at apprising the IEP’s members and general public about their rights and duties concerning with socio-economic problems. The speakers underlined the need of giving due importance to health and safety of the citizens in dealing with health and business matters.

Engineer Najamuddin who was resource person explained in detail laboratories’ accreditation rules and regulations with the help of slides. He highlighted the technical requirements of labs’ testing, various features of accreditation and accreditation’s benefits.   

He emphasised that the government and relevant institutions should strictly implement internationally recognized standards and rules in accreditation of Laboratories. He said, in accreditation process, services certified through a 3rd party internationally recognized Accreditation System has become an inescapable requirement.

The test reports and certificates issued by the Accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies have the global acceptability for all the stake- holders involved in the International trade, thereby; ensuring the consumer confidence, reduction in technical barriers to trade and above all exports based of the country is prudent.

Accreditation has become an essential requirement for ensuring consumer confidence and enhancing International trade. He believes accreditation could improve quality of products and services as per national and international laws. Most of the developed countries have made accreditation a key element of their policy making strategy.

Stressing the importance of accreditation, Engineer Najamuddin stated that it provides assurance and confidence that traded products and services not only conform to specifications but also meet legal and regulatory requirements.