XN000022-1988-04-25 — Page 13

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988

12.

GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE QUALITY ASSURANCE

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CONSULTANTS EMPLOYED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR TO ADVISE IT ON A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY HAVE RECOMMENDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB), THAT THERE WOULD BE MERIT IN MAKING PLANS FOR A SUSTAINED, TERRITORY-WIDE QUALITY DRIVE IN MANUFACTURING.

THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR h. Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED QUALITY MANAGEMENT ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE HONG KONG Q-MARK COUNCIL THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.

MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD FORMED A CALLED THE QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE, TO HELP IT PROPOSALS FOR A PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES EXPECTED TO BE NEXT YEAR.

COMMITTEE, FORMULATE

INTRODUCED

HE EXPLAINED THAT QUALITY ASSURANCE WAS A MANAGEMENT CONCEPT WHICH DESCRIBED ALL THOSE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE CONFIDENCE THAT A PRODUCT WOULD SATISFY GIVEN REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY.

'A SOUND QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM IN A FACTORY REQUIRES ITS MANAGEMENT TO HAVE ACCESS TO RELEVANT SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS; TO OPERATE A SYSTEM OR PROCEDURE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT QUALITY IS ACHIEVED IN ALL AREAS OF ACTIVITY; AND TO HAVE A PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE.

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BEFORE WE COULD ACTIVELY PROMOTE QUALITY ASSURANCE, WE MUST HAVE IN PLACE AN ADEQUATE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES.

"GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE THOSE PROVIDED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT'S PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU WHICH HAS PROVED TO BE INCREASINGLY USEFUL TO MANUFACTURERS.

"IN ADDITION, THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY TIE GOVERNMENT'S STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY AND THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME ARE ALSO GAINING WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION.

"MOREOVER, A FEW MEMBER ORGANISATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE HAVE APPROACHED US WITH PROPOSALS FOR ENTERING INTO BILATERAL AGREEMENTS.

ET

AS MANUFACTURERS INTERESTED IN INTRODUCING QUALITY ASSURANCE INTO THEIR FACTORIES WOULD NEED HELP AND ADVICE, MR YEUNG SAID THE IDA HAD ENDORSED PROPOSALS FOR ALLOWING THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO CREATE A CAPABILITY FOR GIVING MANUFACTURERS ADVICE ON SETTING UP APPROPRIATE QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS.

"WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE PRACTICE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE, IT 13 NOW POSSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURERS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEIR QA SYSTEM IS COMPETENT," HE SAID.

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