Introduction to SCC

The term Quality Infrastructure has entered into the world after globalization of economy and increased consumer awareness. National Quality Infrastructure includes:

• Standards
• Metrology
• Testing
• Certification
• Accreditation

Previously the term MSTQ (Metrology, Standardization, Testing and Quality Assurance) was in use for expressing the single element of Quality Infrastructure.

Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), being responsible to develop the Quality Infrastructure of Pakistan has recently established SYSTEM CERTIFICATION CENTRE (SCC). SCC has been established as an independent operational arm of PSQCA. SCC will solely responsible for providing certification and training services to local SMEs in particular and all businesses in general in the areas of following Management System Standards :-

• ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Management System)
• ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System)
• ISO 22000:2005 (Food Safety Management System)
• OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series)
• SA 8000 (Social Accountability)

SCC will be accredited to ISO/IEC 17021:2006 by an internationally recognized, MLA signatory accreditation body. For unbiased and impartial operation of the affairs, SCC will establish an Impartial Committee and Certification Committee. The impartiality Committee will comprise of experienced business persons, quality professionals, member of trade associations and consumer groups, who are all external to SCC. These individual will provide oversight to eliminate commercial pressure that may influence certification body and give advice on matters affecting confidence in certification, including openness and public perception. Whereas the Certification Committee comprises the individual who make the decision on certification of management system.