The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), in collaboration with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, held a conference to celebrate World Standards Day, focusing primarily on governance, sustainability, and growth, a government statement said.
The conference brought together representatives from the public and private sectors, technical experts, and professionals from various industries.
Discussions centered on the upcoming revision of the ISO 9001 international standard, the world's most widely adopted quality management system.
Expected to come into effect next year, the revised standard will place greater emphasis on quality and good governance, the statement said.
At the opening of the conference, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul explained that the principles underlying this standard are at the heart of the government's vision for a quality economy, one that grows sustainably, respects workers' dignity, and is built on trust and social justice.
"What we are discussing today is not just a technical or administrative matter; it is about the character of our economy, a plan for a fairer, more resilient, and prosperous Malta," Ellul said.
He added that the government is already putting these principles into practice, such as promoting safe work environments, transparent wages, and ethical treatment of employees and consumers.
Examples include recent reforms for platform and temporary workers, the 'historic' increase in minimum wage, and mandatory bank payments for foreign workers, he said.
"A business that embraces a culture of quality is a business that respects the rights of its employees. An organisation that believes in ethics invests in its people, pays them fairly, and provides a supportive environment," Ellul said.
Director General of the Institute for Standards and Metrology within the MCCAA George Cutajar said that leadership and ethics are now central to the new ISO/DIS 9001 standard.
He explained that quality is no longer the responsibility of a single department but a common language of leadership that integrates ethics, governance, and sustainability into everyday decision-making.
Cutajar also spoke of the MCCAA's role in encouraging and supporting Maltese experts' participation in European and international standards development, through local and international technical committees.
The conference also discussed the role of standards in governance, innovation, and sustainable growth, with key speakers from KPMG Malta, Malta Enterprise, the Chamber of SMEs, the Digital Dialogue Authority, and Saint James Hospital.