ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: Accreditation, calibration, certification and testing have assumed strategic importance not only to cut high costs of product testing abroad , pre-shipment services and certification but also to provide companies with objective results needed for technological improvements and innovations.

This was stated by Science and Technology Secretary Khawaja Zaheer Ahmad after inaugurating a day-long training workshop on ISO-17025 here on Wednesday. The workshop was aimed at providing explanations on practical approach to method selection and the validation required to meet ISO-17025 standards.

The secretary said accreditation of laboratories was imperative as clients made decisions on the basis of test results provided by labs. The decision can have far reaching effects on the success or failure of the client's organization and sometimes on health and safety too, he added.

The Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, a PNAC initiative, will help in promotion of conformity assessment, testing and calibration services, besides raising the status of quality professionals in the country, the secretary said.

On the occasion, Dr Alan G. Rowley, an international expert in the field of chemical testing, stressed strengthening of meteorology standards, testing and quality infrastructure for industrial progress.

PNAC Director-General Abdul Rashid Khan said a significant number of microbiological, chemical, textile and leather testing laboratories in Pakistan had been envisaged to be accredited to the requirements of ISO-17025.

If a testing laboratory demonstrates that it complies with ISO-17025 standards, its results will be accepted throughout the world, he added. The workshop was attended by experts engaged in the management and conduct of tests in chemical/textile and leather testing labs.