Friday, June 29, 2007 DTI launches standards, conformance portal
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), launches the Standards and Conformance (S&C) Portal, a one-stop information gateway on standards, trade-related regulations, and conformity assessment activities in the country and other World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries.
DTI-BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull said: "The agency recognizes the pressing need of exporters and other stakeholders for up-to-date and extensive information on standards, technical regulations and other trade-related requirements."
Thus, it embarked on the development of the Standards and Conformance Portal, an online facility that provides an easy access to Philippine National Standards (PNS), WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Notifications, and other trade-related technical regulations of the Philippines as well as the country's major trading partners.
"Moreover, the portal enables our stakeholders to review and comment on the draft Philippine National Standards or proposed technical regulations issued by WTO members, therefore involving the business community and concerned sectors to participate in the standardization and conformity assessment activities of the country," said Motoomull.
The S&C portal, which can be accessed at www.bps.dti.gov.ph, has various features to assist exporters and stakeholders to know, understand, and meet standards and technical regulations of the products of their target markets. One of the salient features on the portal is the Standards and TBT Alert Services, an automated notification service that prompts users on new and revised standards, and technical regulations that affect the local and global markets.
The Standards Alert Service allows users to monitor the standardization activities in a particular field of interest and keep track of the published or revised standards.
It also enables users to view and comment on the draft standards under circulation.
On the other hand, the TBT Alert Service enables exporters and other stakeholders to access and comment on the draft regulatory measures/requirements of WTO member countries.
It also notifies the stakeholders on the new proposed administrative and/or legal requirements of importing countries.
Another important feature of the S&C Portal is the online catalog of Philippine National Standards (PNS) that allows stakeholders to search for the relevant standards and other related information on the specific standard of interest.
As soon as the online payment is activated, stakeholders can order PNS and other collection of standards and standards-related documents and publications online, through the Web Store, wherein the purchased items are sent via e-mail or delivered at your doorstep.
Moreover, through the portal's cross-search facility, users can search foreign and local databases such as Foreign Information Resources, Product Index Database, TBT Notifications, PNS, Philippine Standard (PS) Licensees, and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) holders, among others.
It also links stakeholders to various regulatory agencies, trade and industry associations, and international, regional, and national bodies involved in trade promotion and facilitation.
Director Motoomull said "as the National Standards Body of the Philippines and the country's WTO-TBT Enquiry Point, it is imperative for the BPS to enhance stakeholders awareness on Philippine National Standards (PNS) and proposed technical regulations of other countries to increase conformity to local and foreign standards and trade regulations, at the same time improve the quality and global competitiveness of local products."
"The Bureau is committed to provide its stakeholders with responsive and up-to-date information services to address concerns of our stakeholders. By 16 July 2007, exporters and other stakeholders can start using the S&C Portal and avail of the free services by registering at www.bps.dti.gov.ph," said Motoomull.
The S&C portal is set up through the joint assistance of United States Agency for Development (Usaid) and the European Union (EU) with the collaboration of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to ensure that the needs of the exporters and other stakeholders are addressed.
For more information, call DTI-BPS at 751-4740 or send your messages through email address bps@dti.gov.ph. (Press release)
