July 19, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, July 18: Director General Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) Abdul Rashid emphasized the need for adopting new principles of multilateral trading system since the WTO would soon form the playing rules of international trade.

At the same time, the authorities need to realize the importance of protecting the health and safety of consumers and giving them the advantages of a well-regulated market, he argued.

Speaking to the reporters at a local hotel on Thursday, Abdul Rashid said the ministry of science and technology (MoST) had established PNAC, which has been assigned to assess the performance of other conformity assessment bodies, including certification bodies, testing and calibration laboratories and to promote quality improvement practices in the country.

He said the PNAC had already developed capability in accordance with applicable international standards ISO-61 and ISO-58 to accredit certification agencies and laboratories.

Already two international organizations have been accredited by the PNAC whereas cases of four more certification agencies and five laboratories were under process of evaluation.

Replying to a query, he said about 120 people of different laboratories including National Institute of Health (NIH) have been trained but the evaluation of these laboratories could not be completed due to lack of competent personnel.

He said the PNAC had also launched a programme “crash awareness raising and training in the field of quality,” under which 500 courses and seminars on quality, health, environment, social accountability standard and productivity were being organized in close association with relevant institutions, chamber of commerce and industry, industrial associations and consumer protection agencies.