We bid you a warm welcome to the inaugural issue of the Benchmark Magazine. Benchmark reflects the crucial role of Standards Malaysia in support of the Malaysian Ministry’s aspirations to use national standardisation as an economic driver, social progress and innovation in Malaysia.
As business practices become critically scrutinised by eco-conscious customers, the need to reinvent the wheel becomes ever more pressing. Green and sustainable practices, not just for the sake of customers, but also for the planet, needs to be espoused at a global scale.
In this issue, we address how Standards, setting a benchmark in business practices, impact the businesses themselves and also the end-users. This is to ensure the total protection of consumers including health, safety and welfare; promote industrial efficiency and development; further international cooperation; promote domestic and international trade and advance the national economy in the same heartbeat.
Some areas of development of standards include the services sector, encompassing social responsibility, financial planning, and tourism – one that has been the focus of the international standards community. Furthermore, standardisation in the field of science and technology such as nanotechnology continues to be appraised. Not forgetting the F&B industry, where Standards are used to ensure the products are processed and manufactured in a safe and hygienic condition.
Being a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Malaysia, subscribes to the policy of using International Standards as the basis for the development of Standards in Malaysia. While many initiatives are underway such as the introduction of the new Accreditation Programme on Antibribery Management Systems (ABMS) to the market, there is still a need for broader acceptance of accreditation activities, in order to achieve global recognition.
Yet, the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) faces challenges that impede the quick implementation of plans and strategies; non-compliance within a set timeframe is one such example.
Nevertheless, Standards Malaysia continues to address these issues in a timely manner. Priority is placed on training and capacity building so as to enhance and develop the right skills and knowledge of the human resource pool, including assessors that implement Standards Malaysia’s accreditation programmes.
Datuk Fadilah Baharin
Director General, Department of Standards Malaysia
