Annual Bulletin 2006

Annual Information Bulletin 2006BackgroundChapter VStandards & Quality Control AuthorityThe Standards & Quality Control Authority (SQCA) was first established asStandards & Quality Control Division under the then Ministry of Communications inJanuary 2000. In September 2002, the organization was renamed as "The NationalAuthority for Construction Standards & Quality Control". In July 2003, this longname was shortened to "Standards & Quality Control Authority" by which it iscurrently known. SQCA was initially entrusted with the primary responsibilities todevelop standards and ensure quality in the construction sector. However, GoodGovernance Plus Document has now designated SQCA as the focal agency fornational goods and process standards that will cut across all other sectors. SQCAwill ultimately become the National Standards Organization in Bhutan.Vision• To provide a national framework for the development of unambiguous andreliable market/society driven standards in the areas of economic and socialactivity;• To review the standards for their efficacy and relevance to market/societal needsfor their continuance, revision, amendment or deletion;• To effect coordination of standards formulating agencies so as to avoidduplication of efforts and to provide a national system of standardization;• To combine resources to ensure that goods are designed to meet world marketneeds in function, appearance and price and that goods are manufacturedconsistently conforming to standards;• To create and strengthen metrological network and accreditation, calibration andtesting laboratories to enhance credibility of test reports;• To undertake to sharpen the attitude to quality, and to take every opportunity toraise the awareness of quality among business and the community;• To introduce accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, not necessarilycreating the infrastructure but out sourcing to ensure only internationallyaccredited bodies operate in the country; and• To emphasize safeguards in the areas affecting environment, health and safetyfor overall community benefit.Ministry of Works and Human Settlement 42