The IECEE CB Scheme, which provides for mutual recognition of CB test certificates, has proven to be an effective programme in facilitating international trade, says Mr. Lee Suan Hiang, Chief Executive of the Singapore Productivity and Standard Board. |
|
As the national standards authority and national certification body in Singapore, PSB takes the lead role in ensuring that our standards programme and conformity assessment activities support Singapore's economic development and meet the needs of industry. Companies are assisted to meet global requirements and gain access to overseas markets through PSB's work on standardisation, metrology, testing and evaluation and certification. We place priority on ensuring that Singapore's exports are competitive on world markets and that they meet international standards. One of the key strategies we have adopted is to align our national standards with international standards. For instance, in developing an electrical or an electronic product standard for Singapore, our standards committee will refer to the relevant IEC standard and adopt it, if appropriate. The IECEE CB scheme, which provides for mutual recognition of CB test certificates, has proven to be an effective programme in facilitating international trade. Not only has it benefited consumers, it has also helped manufacturers and traders to cut costs and save time – thereby improving their competitiveness. The scheme has eliminated the need for manufacturers and traders in participating countries to get their electronic and electrical products re-tested each time they enter a new overseas market. By the end 1999, PSB had recognised more than 1,200 CB test certificates from overseas and issued more than 200 CB test certificates, a strong indication of our commitment to the scheme and collaboration with international partners. The widespread participation in the IECEE CB scheme holds the key to its continued success. There are opportunities to bring in more certification bodies and countries into the scheme. For instance, of the ten ASEAN member countries, Singapore is the only country participating in the CB scheme. We are confident that IECEE can do more to encourage participation by more countries and PSB is more than willing to assist.
For further information, please refer to www.iecee.org or www.psb.gov.sg PSB Testing and Evaluation |
