Companies benefit immensely by accreditation

Need for conformity assessments vital:

RAMANI KANGARAARACHCHI

A large number of companies in Sri Lanka has improved competence, credibility and quality tremendously with accreditation and the benefits of accreditation are enormous said Director General, Sri Lanka Standards Institution Dr. L.N. Senaweera.

He was addressing the National Awareness Seminar and workshop on Regional Cooperation in Accreditation held to mark International Accreditation Day at the Galle Face Hotel, yesterday. It was organized by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) in association with the Federation of Chamber of Commerce (FCCISL) under the theme "Accreditation delivers competence and credibility".

Dr. Senaweera said that through accreditation companies not only achieve internationally accepted standards for their products and services but also minimize costs, become competent and are able to face competition in the markets and thereby win contracts for imports and exports. The accreditations granted for conformity assessment bodies on demonstrated competence provide a unique platform for testing laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies to operate in an impartial and reliable manner.

With the globalization of trade and regulatory requirements there is a real need for conformity assessments because Governments are concerned about their consumer population.

Buyers also want to ensure cost effectiveness, quality and safety of the products that they purchase, he said. The SLAB for Conformity Assessment was set up in 2006 to promote and provide accreditation services to strengthen the quality infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

Delegates from SAARC countries participated in the two-day seminar and workshop.

Chairman, International Accreditation Forum IAF Thomas Facklam delivered the keynote address.

Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Tissa Vitarana was the chief guest.