Comparative Study of the USA and Pakistan Textile Product Quality Regulations

Abstract

Pakistan, having joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 1, 1995, was 'unwillingly' required to introduce standards and a quality control system that adhered to the best international practices. The issue Pakistan faced after joining the WTO was to safeguard its domestic consumers while competing with other countries or establishing an unmatched position in global markets for its commodities. A national standardization authority had to be established in Pakistan to provide crucial technical support to manufacturers and service providers in compliance with international norms, as the adoption of standards and quality control techniques was inevitable in an era of globalization. Consequently, on March 17, 1996, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Act was passed, enabling the Ministry of Science and Technology to create a national standardizing organization. Pakistan Standards Development Committee (PSQCA) was founded on December 1, 2000, in accordance with this Act. The purpose of PSQCA's founding was to provide government advice on standardizing programs, projects, and activities that would safeguard consumers while advancing industry growth and efficiency. Along with "advancing the national economy, promoting productivity in manufacturing and development, making sure the health and safety of the public, safeguarding customers, facilitating trade on a global scale and furthering worldwide collaboration in relation to standards and conformity inspection," the Authority's primary mission was to "foster and promote standards and conformity assessment" (https://www.psqca.com.pk/, n.d.).