ENG-2008 — Page 167

Commerce and Industry 119

Standards and Conformance Services

The Innovation and Technology Commission's services in the areas of metrology, documentary standards and accreditation provide the technical foundation for Hong Kong's standards and conformance infrastructure.

The Standards and Calibration Laboratory is the official custodian of Hong Kong's physical measurement reference standards. It provides a comprehensive calibration service traceable to the International System of Units. It is a signatory to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement of the International Committee for Weights and Measures and its calibration certificates are recognised internationally.

The Product Standards Information Bureau disseminates information relating to documentary standards. It operates a product standards library and provides sales of standards and free technical advice service on standards-related matters. The bureau represents the HKSAR in regional and international standardisation bodies, such as the International Organisation for Standardisation and encourages local experts to take part in international standardisation activities. It also co-ordinates Hong Kong's input to Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation on standards and conformance matters and acts as Hong Kong's Enquiry Point and Notification Authority under the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Through granting accreditation, the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) upgrades the standard of local conformity assessment services to provide reliable support to social, economical and technical activities. Accreditation is also an official recognition to facilitate users in identifying and using competent service providers. The service operates in accordance with international standard and is active in international and regional accreditation communities. Through its mutual recognition arrangements, the results of tests, calibrations, certifications and inspections. provided by its accredited service providers are recognised worldwide, thus facilitating cross-border business and trading activities. The comprehensive service of the HKAS is provided under three voluntary accreditation schemes, namely, the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS), the Hong Kong Certification Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS) and the Hong Kong Inspection Body Accreditation Scheme (HKIAS). More details about HKAS can be found at http://www.itc.gov.hk/en/quality/hkas.

Human Resources, Technical Education and Industrial Training

Success in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century depends heavily upon the availability of talent and skilled manpower at all levels. High-level education and training are provided by the tertiary education institutions. The Vocational Training Council provides vocational education, training and professional development. It also administers the New Technology Training Scheme which provides financial assistance to employers for training their staff in new technologies that are not yet widely applied locally but the absorption and application of which will benefit Hong Kong significantly. The Clothing Industry Training Authority runs two training centres for the clothing and footwear industries.