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DEPARTMENT OF QUALITY CONTROL "Conformity assessment is a process for evaluating a product, process, service , or system against a standard. Conformity assessment is important to manufacturers, Suppliers, consumers and regulators. In addition to helping conscientious producers and consumers, it enables governments to enforce the regulations for protecting the public health and safety." "Without the standards, conformity assessment is meaningless; and without well specified standards backed by unambiguous operational procedures and reliable testing, conformity assessment may be of marginal value." "Accreditation Systems are essential safeguards against possible incompetence of conformity Assessment and Certification/Registration Bodies." Conformity Assessment and Certification play the most significant role in an integrated and coherent approach to standardization, and implementation and application of standards for: - Fast Industrial and Economic Development - Technology transfer - Upgrading the quality and economizing the cost of products and services - Resource conservation - Removal of non-tarrif trade barriers - Environmental protection - Safety and protection of health - Consumer protection - Welfare of society at large In the areas of quality control, quality assurance, certification conformity Assessment, and Accreditation, the DGSM operates the following schemes/services under the responsibility vested with the DGSM through various Decrees of the Government of Sultanate of Oman. - Regular and periodic collection of market/ factory samples of domestic and imported products, commodities and goods, and testing and analyses to check their compliance with Omani / GCC / International Standards. - All importers have to submit on demand an evidence of compliance of their imported products with Omani/GCC/International Standards. - All Manufacturers and exporters have to demonstrate the conformity of their products /services to Omani/GCC/International Standards. - Verification of 'Certificate of Conformity to Standards' for consignments of products imported into Oman, particularly motor vehicles, passenger car tyres and electrical house-hold products. - Issuance of 'Validity Certificates' for exporting food and food products to GCC Gulf Arab states and other countries. - Monitoring labeling information on food and food products under the Governments, (Ministerial) Decree on food labeling and safety. - Assaying of precious metals for identifying the purity and fineness as well as testing of gemstones and verifying the requisite marking (declaration of brand, and purity) requirements. Omani Quality Mark (The D.G.S.M Certification Mark), Scheme to be introduced in the near future. - This scheme, which mainly covers certification of products, may also. Cater for processes. Under the scheme, manufacturers may apply for DGSM licence to use its Certification Mark on one or more of their products. - The one-year, renewable licence is granted when the Directorate is satisfied, after extensive tests and various other assessments, that the given product complies with the respective Omani Standard (or in the absence of Omani Standard, the approved GCC/national /International Standards), and that the manufacturer's quality plan is effectively implemented. - Licensees are subjected to continuous assessment by the Directorate during the whole period of the licence. - The presence of the DGSM Certification Mark on a product is an assurance of the latter's continuing compliance with the relevant Omani Standard. Omani National Quality System Registration Scheme (ISO 9001:2000), to be introduced in the near future. - The objective of this scheme is to give recognition to organizations which establish and implement quality systems conforming to the requirements of 9001:2000 published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and wish to demonstrate that such quality system is being implemented. - Certificate of registration under the scheme is granted when the applicant has demonstrated compliance with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2000. - All registered organizations are further subjected to continuous surveillance by the D.G.S.M to ensure compliance at all times. Omani National Environmental Management System (EMS) Registration Scheme (ISO 14001:1996), to be introduced in the near future. - The objective of this scheme is to give recognition to organization, which establish and implement Environmental Management System (EMS) conforming to the requirements of ISO 14001:1996 published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and wish to demonstrate that such EMS is being implemented. - Certificate of registration under the scheme is granted when the applicant has demonstrated compliance with the requirements of ISO 14001:1996. - All registered organizations are further subjected to continuous surveillance by D.G.S.M to ensure compliance at all times. Omani National Laboratory Recognition Scheme for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories in Oman, to be introduced in the near future. - The objective of this scheme is to establish a system for recognition by D.G.S.M, of testing and calibration laboratories operating in Oman, so as to ensure competence of such laboratories and the authenticity of the test and calibration data produced by them (ISO/IEC 17025:1999), in the interest of clients and users of such laboratories and the common consumer and general public. This will also promote the acceptance of such laboratories and their test/calibration data even outside Oman at regional and international level. - The scheme is to be based on established international guidelines and practices and is expected to be a forerunner to the Omani National Accreditation System for Laboratories. Omani National Accreditation System for Certification/Registration Bodies, to be introduced in future. - The objective of this scheme is to ensure the competence, authenticity and transparency of operations of conformity assessment bodies operating in Oman in the interest of their clients and the common consumer and general public, and to enhance their credibility and acceptability at national, regional and international level. - The scheme will cover certification bodies for product certification, certification/registration bodies for Quality Management System and certification/registration bodies for Environment Management System. - The scheme is to be based on the established international guidelines and practices.