Department of Specifications (Standards Formulation)



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DEPARTMENT OF SPECIFICATIONS (STANDARDS FORMULATION)

Standards Formulation
Classification of Standards
Implementation of Standards
Library and Documentation Care

Standards Formulation

Omani National standards are established through a broad consultative process and consensus principle built into the committee structure involving all those who have particular interest in the subject government departments, trade and industry, manufacturers, users, research and development, consumers etc. All standards at the draft stage are made available for public comments, at least for sixty days, before they are published. It is DGSM's endeavour that standards reflect the state-of-the-art technology, accelerate industrial development and transfer of technology, assist in environmental protection and safeguard public health, safety and consumer interests.

The standards formulation procedures are aligned as far as possible with the guidelines issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It the policy of the D.G.S.M to harmonize with and if possible adopt International Standards as for as possible. Close liaison is also maintained with the GCC Standards Organization and the national standards bodies of IOR-ARC and distinct preference is given to harmonization of standards within the GCC standards. The types of standards covered are: Product Standards Methods of Test and Sampling Codes of Practice Terminology, Symbols.. etc.

Classification of Standards

The total number of Omani published standards by 31st December 2000 are 1138, classified in the following fourteen technical areas:

Building and Construction.
Chemicals.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Environmental Management.
Food and Food Products.
Industrial Safety and Health Regulations.
Information and Documentation.
Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgical Products.
Metrology.
Miscellaneous Consumer Products.
Motor vehicles and Transport Engineering.
Petrochemicals.
Quality Assurance and Quality Management.
Textiles

Implementation of Standards

Several measures are taken to promote the implementation of Omani Standards:

A much greater emphasis in public purchasing on linking requirements to standards and the encouragement of the Certification Marking scheme of D.G.S.M.

Greater use of standards in legislation wherever it is necessary to express technical requirements.

The Omani Standards are being applied in various ways, for example, by the D.G.S.M in operation of its Omani Quality Mark (Certification Mark) scheme for industry to upgrade manufacturing quality, by government authorities in regulations relating to safety, health and energy conservation, by government procurement agencies in purchasing, by the professionals, trade etc. The standards are important not only in upgrading technology of production and improving the quality of goods and services but also in safeguarding public health and safety. They serve various needs of the public, help in consumer protection and consumer guidance, and contribute overall to a better quality of life in Oman.

Library and Documentation Centre The D.G.S.M library and Documentation and Information Center has a collection of standards and standards related documents from organizations listed below:
I) International Standards Organizations International Organization for Standardization (ISO) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Organization International de Metrologie Legale (OIML) Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO) II) 2) Regional Standards Organizations