XN000022-1992-10-13 — Page 16

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992

THE BUREAU ALSO PROVIDES A TECHNICAL ENQUIRY AND ADVICE SERVICE WHICH AIMS AT EXPLAINING THE TECHNICAL CONTENT OF OVERSEAS SPECIFICATIONS AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, OFFERS SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS ΤΟ ENABLE A PRODUCT TO MEET THE STIPULATED REQUIREMENTS.

AND

THE SERVICE HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS EXPORTERS WITH THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED RISING FROM 60 IN 1986 TO ABOUT 1,800 IN 1991.

ITS

TO HELP THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ΤΟ MAINTAIN COMPETITIVENESS AND TO FOSTER ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT BY BUILDING UP A QUALITY-IMAGE INTERNATIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT MANUFACTURERS' OWN EFFORTS TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION.

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO HONG KONG'S EXISTING QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE LAUNCHING OF A THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN IN MARCH 1990 TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF QUALITY AWARENESS AMONG LOCAL MANUFACTURERS.

ALSO, THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HAS BEEN SET UP TO MANAGE A VOLUNTARY SCHEME FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF BUSINESSES, BASED ON THE ISO 9000 QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS.

SO FAR, 28 LOCAL COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE ISO 9000 INTERNATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS. A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF COMPANIES ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION FOR THE ISO 9000 AUDIT.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR MEET VARIOUS PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG'S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS.

MR FUNG SAID APART FROM HELPING THE LOCAL INDUSTRY MEET VARIOUS OVERSEAS PRODUCT STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE SAFETY OF GOODS LOCALLY MADE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION.

REQUIREMENTS,

IMPORTED OR

"THOUGH HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF TECHNICAL REGULATIONS OR STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MOST PRODUCTS, THERE ARE, HOWEVER, CERTAIN REGULATIONS AND MEASURES RELATING TO SAFETY, INCLUDING THOSE GOVERNING SHIPS AND SHIPS REQUIREMENT, FOOD AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, ROAD TRAFFIC, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, FIRE SERVICES AND RADIATION.

BY

"IT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT PRODUCTS BOUGHT LOCAL CONSUMERS ARE OF GOOD QUALITY AND UP TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS.

"A RECENT EXAMPLE IS THE PROPOSED TOYS AND SAFETY BILL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HE SAID.

ET

IN

CHILDREN'S PRODUCT THE CURRENT

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