SIRIM QAS taps global trade growth

THE growth of international trade over the past several decades has been tremendous and is both a primary cause and effect of globalisation. This trend makes international standardisation even more important.

“As international trade and globalisation necessitate compliance with international standards, I foresee that the demand for testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services will keep increasing. We can help the Malaysian industry penetrate the global market by leveraging international standards such as the ISO standards,“said SIRIM QAS International managing director Mohd Azanuddin Salleh.

A subsidiary of SIRIM Bhd, SIRIM QAS International was established in 1996. With a wealth of experience and expertise under its belt, the organisation provides a myriad of internationally recognised TIC services to local and international customers from a wide cross-section of the economy.

“Over the years, we have assisted more than 26,000 organisations gain greater market access and in enhancing greater consumer confidence in their products and services through our testing, inspection and certification services,“said Mohd Azanuddin.

SIRIM QAS International has a competitive edge when it comes to the provision of TIC services. For one, the SIRIM name is synonymous with high standards, quality and safety. As part of the SIRIM Group, SIRIM QAS International is wellpositioned to tap the strengths of SIRIM in offering one-stop solutions to meet the industry‘s needs. SIRIM QAS International can leverage SIRIM‘s industrial research and standards development capabilities.

Furthermore, SIRIM QAS International is also nationally and internationally recognised as a result of its extensive ties with relevant authorities, industries and certification bodies as well as multiple accreditations across the world, including with the Department of Standards Malaysia and UK Accreditation Services (UKAS).

SIRIM QAS International also has numerous branches across the country. “In fact, you could say that our geographical reach as a TIC service provider is the best in the country!“said Mohd Azanuddin.

SIRIM QAS International has always been at the forefront in supporting the adoption of new standards in Malaysia. By implementing the latest management system standards, the manufacturing and service industry can adopt international best practices and be at par with their global peers.

“When the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) published the ISO 21001:2018 standard on management systems for educational organisations this year, we started offering certification to this standard within the same year,“said Mohd Azanuddin.

The ISO 21001:2018 standard, the world‘s first international management system standard for the education sector, aims to help education providers deliver high level of service. The standard specifies the requirements of a management system that will help education providers better meet the needs and expectations of their learners and other beneficiaries as well as demonstrate greater credibility and impact.

The other new certification schemes introduced this year include the ISO 18295:2017 customer contact centre certification scheme, which will enhance customer experience with the customer contact centre, and the ISO 29993:2017 learning service provider (LSP) certification scheme, which focuses on the quality of learning services outside formal education such as in-company training.

SIRIM QAS International now also offers the ISO 18788:2015 security operations management system (SOMS) certification scheme which is applicable to any organisation that wishes to demonstrate high conduct of professional security operations and the MS 2610:2015 muslim-friendly hospitality services certification scheme which is relevant to tourism industry players. It provides an independent assurance to muslim travellers that the hospitality products and services provided are syariah-compliant.

Above all, SIRIM QAS International is committed to ensuring that their customers‘ needs are met. “We aim to take the hassle of the TIC processes away so that the manufacturers can focus on their businesses,“he said.

SIRIM QAS International is moving towards becoming a customer-first organisation. “We are adopting a customer-centric mindset and increasing the breadth, depth and quality of services being offered,“explained Mohd Azanuddin.

The organisation‘s endeavours include wider use of digital technology in TIC areas, for example, remote inspection using drones and the use of big data analytics, predictive modelling and preventive maintenance to benefit manufacturers.

SIRIM QAS International is also com- mitted to being more accessible to customers. This is in line with one of the eight strategic thrusts forming part of SIRIM Group‘s 10-year strategic plan and the SIRIM QAS International client charter. This includes establishing a 24/7 platform that allows customers to check the status of their applications and testing, book an appointment for SIRIM QAS International‘s services and get prompt and efficient feedback on any enquiries that they might have.

Mohd Azanuddin believes that the potential for growing the country‘s testing, inspection and certification capabilities is there and looks forward to expanding SIRIM QAS International‘s market reach globally.

Just last year, a branch was set up in Bahrain as a platform for SIRIM QAS International to increase its prominence in the Middle East with plans to venture into China and Indonesia in the near future. The organisation has also been officially recognised by the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) as a notified body to offer Gulf Conformity Marking Scheme.

“TIC business commands a big market. Globally, it is growing between four and five per cent annually and has an estimated value of around US$200 million,“revealed Mohd Azanuddin.

“Ultimately, we aspire to go beyond Malaysia. We want to expand our base internationally while ensuring that the domestic market continues growing at a reasonable pace. We want to make sure that we are able to give the industries and our customers the best services,“he said.