XN000022-1985-10-25 — Page 17

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1985

THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE (ILAC) WAS FORMED IN 1977 AND IS ACTIVELY SUPPORTED BY THE WORLD'S LEADING INDUSTRIAL NATIONS.

ILAC HAS PRODUCED CODES OF PRACTICE AND GUIDELINES WHICH HAVE UNIVERSAL APPLICATION AND COVER EVERY ASPECT OF THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF TESTING LABORATORIES.

A LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME EMBRACES THESE CODES OF PRACTICE AND IMPOSES THEM ON LABORATORIES SEEKING ACCREDITATION. AN APPROVED LABORATORY UNDER SUCH A SCHEME WILL FIND ITS TEST CERTIFICATES MORE READILY ACCEPTED ABROAD, THEREBY AVOIDING UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION OF TESTING IN THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES.

MR YAXLEY SAID: IT IS NOW BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT COUNTRIES WITHOUT ANY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES MAY EVENTUALLY FIND THEMSELVES BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

+LOCALLY, ACCREDITED LABORATORIES ILL BE ABLE TO SHOW THE STAMP OF APPROVAL OF THE REGULATING AUTHORITY TO THIRD PARTIES SEEKING AN INDEPENDENT MEASURE OF RELIABILITY OF TEST RESULTS.

+THIS BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT IF TEST RESULTS ARE TO BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR CONTRACTUAL DISPUTES.

+ IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSMENT AND ACHIEVING ACCREDITATION, THE QUALITY STANDARDS OF A TESTING LABORATORY INVARIABLY IMPROVE, WITH CONSEQUENT ADVANTAGE IN THE MONITORING PROCESS FOR GOODS BEING PRODUCED AND EXPORTED, MR YAXLEY SAID.

AS FAR BACK AS 1979, THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THIS INTERNATIONAL TREND IN QUALITY CERTIFICATION SERVICES. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DIVERSIFICATION MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE HONG KONG'S POSITION IN THIS FIELD.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE LATER REFINED TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF INDUSTRY BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

TWO NEW SERVICES IN THE FIELD OF QUALITY CERTIFICATION WERE RECOMMENDED FOR HONG KONG. THEY INCLUDE FIRSTLY, A STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, AND SECONDLY, A LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME.

MR YAXLEY SAID HE WAS VERY HAPPY THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED BOTH THESE SERVICES DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1984 AND THE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) WAS LAUNCHED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

THE TEXT OF MR YAXLEY'S SPEECH WILL BE BOXED FOR COLLECTION.

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