British High Commissioner Vincent Fean presented the certificate to the authority yesterday on behalf of the British Standards Institute (BSI).
Mr Farrugia explained that the certificate shows that the authority not only issues standards, but follows them as well.
The BSI, which is the world’s largest certification body in this field, he said, had assessed the MSA and found it to conform with the standards it lays down. The certification means that the MSA’s assessment will be valid locally and internationally.
The chairman went on to say that the authority is not industry’s enemy.
Entrepreneurs must be aware of the restrictions they must abide by in order to ensure products of high quality, continued Mr Farrugia.
Answering a question posed by TMID regarding the implementation of standards in industry and the way forward for the authority, the chairman explained that the MSA will be providing training courses for small- and medium-sized enterprises to guide them on how to conform to standards.
Mr Farrugia also noted last week’s opening of three metrology laboratories. Previously, local industries had to send their equipment to be calibrated.
These labs, he explained, offer length, mass and temperature calibration services right here on the island, which is more cost effective.
Also speaking at yesterday’s presentation, Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea said the MSA is the first authority in Malta to have been certified to ISO 9001:2000. This shows that it operates effectively and keeps customer satisfaction as its focus.
The minister explained that the staff enthusiastically participated in setting up and implementing the quality management system in compliance with ISO 9001:2000 which was audited by the BSI in March.
The minister explained that the MSA will also be acting as a certification body to help other organisations reach the ISO 9001:2000 standard.
A number of organisations have expressed interest in acquiring certification and some have already confirmed they will be using the MSA certification services, he said.
Mr Fean said this was a great mark of esteem and shows that the MSA is on equal terms with the BSI.
It is the expertise and the ability to set and maintain standards that have helped the MSA achieved this honour, he said.