QUALITY STANDARDS

ISI - Bureau of Indian Standards

ISO - International Standards Organisation

ISO - Reimbursement of Charges

FPO - Fruit Products Order

  Bureau of Indian Standard Act, 1986

It repealed Indian Standards Institutions (Certification Marks) Act 1952 but incorporated all its provisions. The act is mandatory for milk powders, sweetened condensed milk, infant formula etc. This act generally cover a hygienic conditions of manufacture, raw material quality and safety are given. It also ensures the quality to the consumers by certification.

ISO 9000 A QUALITY SYSTEM

Today Consumer is not quantity oriented but quality oriented instead. Hence, for consumer's satisfaction, the manufacturers are pressing for quality products.The quality of particular product is determined by the ISO, whose certification is of great importance. The various activities of the ISO are highlighted in this article.

 INTRODUCTION

What makes a product sell? The product quality as perceived by the customer is the major factor for sustained What makes a sales of a product.

For many years, iterative process of make, inspect, accept or rectify, has been the basis of manufacturing in industry. This method of quality control consisted largely of physical inspection of the end product against the product specification. However, technical specifications may not by themselves guarantee, that a customer's requirements will be met, if there happens to be any deficiency in the specifications or in the organisational system, to design and produce the products, or service. Consequently, this has led to the development of quality system standards and guidelines, that complement relevant product, or service, requirements given in the technical specifications.

QUALITY SYSTEM

A 'quality system' is a mechanism by which a company can organise and manage its resources to achieve, sustain and improve quality economically.

 EVOLUTION OF ISO 9000

 The first attempt to standardize quality was made in the USA. It gave rise to MIL-Q 9858, which is a quality system specification and MIL-I 45208, which is a inspection system specification. These standards are involved in American defence contracts. Based on these standards, three standards were designed for the use of NATO called Allied Quality Assurance Publication (AQAP).

 AQAP 1 - Quality System Specification

 AQAP 2 - Inspection and Manufacturing Specification.

 AQAP 9 - Inspection System Specification

 The UK did not accept this standard but formulated three specifications called defence standards in 1967. Later in 1979, Britain adopted its first version of BS 5750 based on AQAP, which can be used in contractual situations. Based on this standard, a Technical Committee (TC-1 76) of the International Standard for Organisation (ISO), under the chairmanship of Canada, worked to produce a series of intemational quality standards. This series comprises ISO 9000, which embraces ISO 9001, ISO 9002, ISO 9003 and ISO 9004.

 ISO 9001 Quality System : Model for quality in design/development, production, installation and servicing. This standard specifies quality system requirements for use when a contract between two parties requires a demonstration of the supplier's capacity to design, or develop, a product, produce and install and to ensure after sales service.

 ISO 9002 Quality System : Model for quality assurance in production and installation. This standard is applicable in situations where the specified requirements of products are stated in terms of established design or specifications. Confidence in product quality can be obtained by adequate demonstration at the supplier's capabilities in production, installation and service.

 ISO 9003 Quality System : Model for Quality Assurance in Final Inspection and testing this standard is used. For external quality assurance purposes. It is suitable for two-party contractual purposes, where conformance to specified requirements is to be assured by the supplier solely at final inspection and testing.

 ISO 9004 : This standard provides guidance on the technical, administrative and human factors affecting the quality of products and services at all stages of the quality loop from detection of need, to the customers' satisfaction. Throughout this standard, emphasis is placed on the satisfaction of the customer's need, the establishment of functional responsibilities and the importance of assessing the potential risks and benefits.

SELECTION FACTORS ~

In addition to the selection of appropriate models based on the functional or organisational, capability, the six factors considered to be fundamental for selecting the appropriate model for a product or service are: -

a.       Design process complexity - This factor deals with the difficulty of designing the product or service, which is yet to be designed.

b.       Design maturity- This factor deals with the extent to which the total design is known and proven, either by Performance testing or field experience.

c.       Product process complexity - This factor deals with:

(i)      Availability of proven process.

(ii)       The need for the development of new processes.

(iii)      The number and variety of process required.

(iv)    The 'impact of the process or the performance of the product or service.

d.       Product or service characteristic - This factor deals with the complexity of the product or service, the number of interrelated characteristics and the criticality of each characteristic for performance.

e.       Product or service safety - This factor deals with the risk of occurrence of failure and the consequence of such failure.

f.         Economics - This factor deals with the economic costs, to both supplier and purchaser, of the preceding factors weighed against cost due to nonconformities in the product or service.

BENEFITS OF ISO 9000 QUALITY SYSTEM

Implementing a quality system based on ISO 9000 can help to transform an adhoc method of quality control into an organised and cost-effective quality management system. An effective quality system confers the following: -

a.        It enables the user to identify and plan. tasks and their method of performance.

b.        It provides the means for identifying and resolving problems and preventing their reoccurrence, there by improving conformance.

c.        It cuts down the poor quality cost.

d.        It generates objective evidence to demonstrate the quality of products and the effectiveness of the systems and thus builds up confidence among customers.

e.        This standard demands training for all personnel performing activities effecting quality and hence improved performance,

f.          Reduces fire-fighting operations and better job satisfaction.

g.        Registration to ISO 9000 is a necessary prerequisite to supply to certain organisations countries.

h.        Not a product standard and hence, can 'be used for any type of, industry and for companies employing very few persons as well as whose work force runs into thousands.

i.          Marketing advantages, recognition and publicity.

j.          Reduced liability risks.

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO ISO 9000 CERTIFICA TION

Companies in developing countries should generally go about implementing an ISO 9000 under a major project involving the following steps: -

(i)       Acceptance by top management of quality as a vital element in the business.

(ii)     Consultation with the workers' representatives to explain the concept and benefits of ISO 9000.

(iii)    Training task force members in the various aspects of ISO 9000 and the methodology for its implementation.

(iv)    Writing down work instructions, procedures, manuals complying with the various clauses of the standard.

(v)      Preparing a quality manual setting out the company's policy and ensuring that these are better understood by all employees.

(vi)    Training staff and workmen in the methods and procedures.

(vii)   Implementing the document systems and subjecting to a trial for few months.

(viii) Conducting internal audits to assess its compliance with the ISO 9000 standards and taking corrective actions.

(ix)   Arranging a preliminary audit by an external agency.

(x)     Taking corrective actions on the basis of the external audit team.

(xi)   Arranging formal assessment by an accredited certification or registration body.

CONCLUSION

Of late, most of the developing companies have realised the problems of a sheltered economy and are in the process of liberalizing industrial and economic policy. With the increasing liberalization and globalised market, products of the developed and developing countries have to compete with each other in quality and price. Firms that do not change their attitude towards quality will, therefore, have to face serious threats. It is, therefore, imperative for companies

to adopt quality system based on ISO 9000 to find their place in the market. 

Furthermore, ISO 9000 is not an end in itself. It is only the first step in the endless road to quality. Having got ISO 9000 certification, an enterprise should utilise the quality momentum generated using its implementation to set increasing higher goals to move towards product quality and operational efficiency.

Reimbursement of charges to SSI units for acquiring ISO: 9000/14000 certification – Criteria for approving ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 Certification Bodies for reimbursement of certification expenses to SSI units.

Govt. of India in Ministry of Small Scale Industries (Office of Development Commissioner (SSI) have been implementing a Plan Scheme, under which 75% of the expenses incurred by SSI units in acquiring Quality Management System)QMS)-ISO 9000 certification & Environment Management System (EMS) ISO 14001 certification are reimbursed. The reimbursement amount is restricted upto Rs. 75,000/- and the scheme will continue upto 31.03.2007.

 The salient features of the scheme are as under ~

1.       Permanent Registered Small Scale Unit/Tiny/Small Scale Service Business enterprise (SSSBE) units are eligible to avail the incentive scheme.

2.       The scheme shall provide one time reimbursement only against the permanent SSI registered unit.

3.       The scheme is applicable to those SSI/Ancillary/Tiny/SSSBE units who have already acquired ISO:9000/ISO : 14001 Certification.

The Criteria for approving ISO 900011SO 14001 Certification Bodies for the purpose of reimbursement Of certification expenses to SSI units have been reviewed by the Screening Committee on reimbursement of ISO 9000/ 14001 certification expenses and the Committee has finalized the criteria, which is placed at Annexure "A"

The Committee also decided that w.e.f. 1^st January, 2004 Office of DC (SSI) will accept / process only such ISO certificates for reimbursement which are issued by the certification bodies falling in line with criteria appearing at Annexure ‘A’ i.,e the acceptable. ISO certificates would only be those, which are issued by certification bodies accredited by NABCB or issued by certification bodies , which have obtained clearance from QCI.

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Reimbursement of charges to SSI units for acquiring

ISO 9000/14000 certification-Criteria

for approving SIDO 9000 and ISO 14000 Certification Bodies

for reimbursement of certification expenses to SSI units.

The following certification bodies have been accredited by NABCB/cleared by QCI for the purpose of re-imbursement of ISO 9000 certification (QMS) and ISO 14001 (EMS) expenses to the SSI units by this officer, vide DC SSI, New Delhi letter No. 41(8)/ISO/Electx/2004 dt. 227.2004 –

List of Certification Bodies, Meeting DC, SSI Criteria for ISO 9000 QMS Certification as updated upto 22.7.2004

1. Certification Bodies having direct accreditation from NABCB

2. Certification Bodies having direct accreditation from Foreign Abs

3. Certification Bodies operating as branch office or franchisee of Foreign CBs

* Certificates are issued by CBs duly signed by authorized signatures.

List of Certification Bodies Meeting DC, SSI Criteria for EMS Certification ISO 14001 as updated on 22.7.2004

1. Certification Bodies having direct accreditation from NABCB

2. Certification Bodies having direct accreditation from Foreign Abs

3. Certification Bodies operating as branch office or franchisee of Foreign CBs

* Certificates are issued by CBs duly signed by authorized signatures.

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INDIAN FOOD LAWS

Law is necessary to control every trade. Indian Food Industry can be categorized in Organised (25%), Small Scale Industries (33%) & Unorganized (420/0). Due to globalization and agreement with WTO it is necessary to the Indian Food Industry to make up their food products up to the level so that they can with stand in the National/ International market with competitive price & quality. This can be achieved by tracing the mandatory & voluntary rules. Each country has its own set of rules for its food products, which are necessary to protect the right and health of the consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade.

 In India, different Govt. Ministries are upholding different necessary and voluntary regulatory acts whose descriptions are given here.

 COMPULSORY LEGISLATION:

 1. PREVENTION OF FOOD ADU LTERATION ACT (1954) AND RULES (1955)

 It is mandatory & comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, operated Central Committee for Food Standards (CCFS). The act provides minimum standards for all types and categories of food products. It extends to the whole of India and administered by Health Department through Food Health Authority, Local health authority, Public Analyst & Food Inspector. Food Health Authority means the Director of Medical & Health Services of Chief Officer Incharge of Health Administration in a State. Local health authority means Officer Incharge of Health Administration of local area, which may be (a) Municipality (b) Cantonment (c) Notified Area (b) Seaport (e) Airport (f) Railway area etc. Under the Act, adulteration is defined in terms of purity, nutrition, wholesomeness, safety against contamination, preservatives, colorants, insecticides and pesticides and bacterial toxins. Adulteration also covers  is branding or mislabeling and any thing else which may be injurious to consumers health. Non-following of PFA Act leads to fine and imprisonment for a term of not less than 3 months to one year.

 1.1   THE INFANT MILK SUBSTITUTES, FEEDING BOTTLES AND INFANT FOODS(REGULATION, PRODUCTION, SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION) ACT 1992.

It rules to exercise the powers of Act 1992.

1.2   The Intent Milk Substitutes, Feeding bottles and infant foods (Regulation, production, supply and distribution) Rules, 1993