On July 19, 2021, the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), joined the “Magandang Kabuhayan Season 2” show, to provide the public with information about the bureau and shed light on its role in supporting the entrepreneurs and safeguarding the consumers.
In an interview with Dir. James E. Empeño, he shared the primary role of PAB and what it means to be accredited. He said that, “…accreditation attests that a conformity assessment body (CAB) has demonstrated its competence in carrying out its conformity assessment activities.” To further understand the concept, he also provided examples of organizations that could undergo the accreditation process. This includes bodies that are performing testing, calibration, inspection, certification, or other bodies offering similar conformity assessment activities.
Accreditation plays significant roles in business promotion and consumer protection. For businesses, it helps in removing barriers to trade. It aids in the ease of doing business for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through Mutual Recognition Arrangements and Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MRAs/MLAs).
Accreditation bodies that are signatory members of these arrangements recognize the test results produced by their accredited CABs. Because of this, the products which are tested or certified by their accredited CABs will no longer have to undergo another round of testing and can be readily accepted in the receiving economy. Acceptability and recognition mean saving time, money, and effort for businesses that no longer have to spend for additional testing or certification services.
Through the use of accredited services, consumers are assured of safe and high quality products. Having said all of these, accredited conformity assessment services build consumer trust and create business competitive advantage.
PAB-accredited CABs issue certificates that bear the PAB logo which is considered an international seal. Their accreditation can also be verified by checking if they are listed on the database of accredited CABs in the PAB website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/pab/cabs/.
To continually cater to CABs and in response to the pandemic, PAB opted to offer “remote assessment” to continue its operations despite the pandemic restrictions. The bureau has also been an active member of the technical working group on personal protective equipment (PPE) development and supports the DTI program for repurposing groups: apparel industry to lab gowns; electronics to medical PPEs; and wine to alcohol/sanitizers. The role of PAB is to connect them with local laboratories for testing, to ensure conformance to standards. It also offers free online briefing sessions on food safety; accreditation of medical laboratories; and other healthcare-related topics to boost the food and medical sectors of the country.
Dir. Empeño encouraged the public to use accreditation and accredited services to ensure safety, quality and foster productivity.
“Tangkilikin po nating lahat ang mga accredited laboratories at certification bodies. Sikapin po nating maging sustainable ang ating mga negosyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtataguyod ng quality and safety ng ating mga produkto,” said Dir. Empeño.
Click here to watch the full interview.
MAGANDANG KABUHAYAN is an online show that discusses best business practices to empower Filipino entrepreneurs. It aims to provide hope, inspiration, and livelihood from successful entrepreneurs behind our favorite local brands.
Magandang Kabuhayan is hosted by Mr. Mon Abrea and airs every Monday in partnership with DTI Philippines, Asian Consulting Group – ACG and powered by Tax Whiz PH Digital Solutions. It is streamed from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, live via ABS-CBN Books Facebook Page, TaxWhizPH, and JeepneyTV Youtube Channel, and simulcast at DTI Website.
Release Date: 23 July 2021