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Islamabad, May 29, 2013 (PPI-OT): As a result of the EU-funded trade programme TRTA II the National Physical and Standards Laboratory (NPSL) received international recognition and accreditation by the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) on World Metrology Day, May 16 2013.
European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark recently paid a visit to the NPSL in relation to the World Metrology Day celebrations, highlighting the major achievements of NPSL and other services including internationally traceable measurement services for the industry and overall quality infrastructure development. The NPSL is supported by the EU-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA II) programme, implemented by UNIDO.
Addressing Government and EU partners, Ambassador Wigemark said that by allowing Pakistan’s industry to meet international metrological standards the trade development programme funded by the EU supports the integration of Pakistan into the global economy. Walking through the laboratories, the Ambassador added that the Laboratories of NPSL should also stimulate employment creation by increasing exports. By adopting the international metrological standards and other trade compliance measures, they will also support sustainable development and poverty reduction in Pakistan in the long run.
Appraising the Ambassador about these laboratories, Mr. Shaheen Raja, Director General, NPSL expressed his hope that internationally recognized accreditation of six laboratories of the National Physical and Standard Laboratory (NPSL) will foster the metrological activities not only in the country but also in the region.
At a ceremony on Metrology Day in Islamabad, Mr. Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of Metrology and how this science provides the road map for achieving quality by ensuring that the measurement devices conform to international standards.
Berend De Groot, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Pakistan expressed appreciation for the efforts by the NPSL to obtain accreditation to help Pakistan brand itself in the global markets by achieving such hallmarks for removal of Technical Barrier to Trade (TBTs) as demonstrated by the success of the NPSL.
An important partner in the field of metrology is The European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EURAMET), which serves to coordinate and promote science and research in the field of metrology.
Overall beneficiary sectors of NPSL’s achievements will include: testing and calibration laboratories in private sector, industry, trade and commerce, WTO infrastructure, academic institutions, research and development organizations, legal metrology departments, small and medium seized enterprises (SMEs), business entrepreneurs and consumer industry etc. In turn, all of these sectors will generate economic activities, competitive environment, export enhancement, self-reliance, poverty alleviation, and consumer rights protection.
World Metrology Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention nearly 140 years ago (in 1875), which provides the basis for a coherent measurement system worldwide.
For more information, contact:
Ms Ayesha Babar
Press and PR Officer
Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan
Phone: +92-51-227 182 8
Fax: 92-51- 282 260 4
Email: Ayesha.Babar@eeas.europa.eu