Concept
In the present context of global free trade and WTO regime, effective functioning of Quality Infrastructure (QI), which consists of different elements such as Standardization, Metrology, Testing, Quality Certification and Accreditation ( as reflected in the diagram below), to address the major quality-related needs e.g. in different value chains . QI has become quite essential for health and safety, manufacture of globally competitive products, fair trade, consumer and environment protection, and research and development. In order to be recognised, the national QI must be harmonised with the international QI system which manifests itself, e.g. in ISO standards, ILAC guides or OIML recommendations.
Source: PTB , Germany
On the other hand, awareness in quality-related issues at all level has to be sufficiently enhanced and so are improved institutionalized cooperation, coordination and transparency among QI players. Furthermore, QI players need to practice the coordinated approach. Concerted efforts are required to address all of these issues and improve current QI system in Nepal.
Though there are many Government agencies (like Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Department of Drug Administration etc), private laboratories, certifying bodies operating in Nepal, institutionalized cooperation and coordination among these Quality Infrastructure service providers and private organizations are not in place. It is therefore envisaged that a national quality forum should be formed in order to work as a push group or a catalyst and to provide venue for the inter-linkage and coordination among relevant stakeholders, be it a public or private organization. This forum shall be a very small group to begin with, comprising those national experts or professionals who are very much interested, dedicated and committed for the development of Quality Infrastructure in Nepal. The forum will be independent, non-political, non-profit, non-stock and purely technical.
With the above concept in mind, the Nepalese Standards, Metrology, Testing, and Quality Circle Forum (SMTQ Forum Nepal) was established in February 2008, with the initial supports from Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt(PTB) of Germany. This forum was registered in the Company Registrar’s Office of Government of Nepal as a non-profit, non-stock company to facilitate effective functioning and utilisation of QIs through advocacy, professional counselling and awareness programs. Its program activities will include:
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Seminar /workshops/dialogues
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Surveys , Studies and Expert Opinions
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Trainings
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Establishing working linkages with relevant national and international organisations
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Information exchanges
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Advocacy and awareness programs
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Dynamic Website for information dissemination
Concept