SMEs Briefed On Importance Of International Standards And Certification

     


Bandar Seri Begawan

– Government initiatives in assisting local products to
be recognised and more competitive in the international market have
resulted in the development of a project, GAP Assessment Programme
for SMEs, in the local food industry that is centred around
conducting research and analysis compliance according to
international standards.

Twenty-five local companies in food manufacturing, cottage industry
and factory sectors have been selected by the National Standard
Centre to take part in a briefing that outlined the International
Standard, which was held yesterday at the National Standard Centre (NSC),
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources in Kampong Sinaut, Tutong.

Majid Ali, Head of NSC, explained that the compliance research and
analysis aims to enhance SME services in the international standard
and quality. He also noted that the research could provide the NSC
with precise facts and data in order to take correct actions in
assisting SMEs achieve the international standard requirements.

Quality Trend Services under Mainstream Technologies has been
appointed by the NSC to carry out the two-month GAP Assessment
Programme for the participating SMEs.

Mainstream Technologies has chosen Kamil Haji Abdullah to facilitate
the briefing and project. He is a specialist consultant from
Malaysia with 14 years of experience in ISO’s, HACCP and GMP
auditing and eight years experience in quality, food safety and
productivity training.

Kamil outlined the research and analysis project stages and five
International Standard that are generally used, which are the Good
Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Point (HACCP), ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System (ISO
22000:2005), British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the ISO 9001:2008
Quality Management System (ISO 9001) which was renewed in November
2008.

He explained that by understanding the level of compliance,
participants can evaluate whether their company requires these
standard certificates.

Among the advantages of having the standard certificates are the
wide acceptance and usage by importing countries and boosts a
company’s reputation and recognition while at the same time enhance
food safety management system and quality of the product. HACCP is
also used as a mandate by USA and European Union for seafood. They
also assist in facilitating the approval for the Brunei Halal Brand
BRC, EU registration and health certificates.

The international standard certificates are also beneficial in
assisting local companies to export their products to international
markets.

The research is organised in order for local SMEs to precisely and
technically understand the level of compliances on the dogmatic
international standards needed in the export market whilst acting as
a support and reference to the NSC in acknowledging and developing
assisting programmes related to standards and certification.

The research on these local SMEs will beneficially result in the
clarification of their requirements to achieve the international
standard. The research information can also assist SMEs in planning
for enhancing their production system.

Among the local SMEs present at the briefing were BMC Food
Industries Sdn Bhd, PDS Meat Industries Sdn Bhd, McBrumby Beverages
Sdn Bhd, Mashor Diary Farm, Mulaut Abattoir Sdn Bhd, Royal-Brunei
Catering Sdn Bhd and Ideal Food Industries.

Interested parties that wish to apply for the standards and
certificates or participate in the programme can visit the
ministry’s website at http://biz.bruneimipr.gov.bn/emipr, under
Certification Services, or call the centre at 4240069.
~ Courtesy of
Borneo Bulletin.