Duties and Responsibilities of a Department of Standards & Certifications.

 

The Department of Standards ensures that products, services, and processes meet high-quality, consistent, and reliable standards. Key responsibilities include:

  • Development of Standards

    • Conduct research to identify industry needs and best practices.
    • Draft, review, and update standards to reflect new technologies and regulations.

  • Implementation and Compliance

    • Develop training programs for stakeholders.
    • Monitor compliance with standards through audits and inspections.

  • Stakeholder Engagement

    • Engage with stakeholders, including industry experts and regulatory bodies, to gather feedback and build consensus.
    • Facilitate public consultation for transparency.

  • Quality Assurance

    • Design and implement quality control programs.
    • Promote continuous improvement of standards and quality control processes.

  • Regulatory Compliance

    • Align standards with national and international regulations.
    • Maintain documentation and report compliance activities.

  • Technical Support and Guidance

    • Provide technical support and expert advice.
    • Assist in resolving issues related to standards implementation and compliance.

  • Performance Evaluation

    • Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
    • Establish feedback mechanisms to assess standards' performance and impact.

  • Innovation and Adaptation

    • Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements.
    • Encourage innovation and adaptability in standards.

  • Communication and Outreach

    • Conduct awareness campaigns and disseminate information on new and updated standards.
    • Educate stakeholders on the importance and benefits of compliance.

  • Risk Management

    • Identify and mitigate risks associated with non-compliance or outdated standards.

  • Detailed Duties

  • Standards Development: Research, draft, consult, revise, and publish standards.
  • Compliance and Monitoring: Develop tools, train stakeholders, audit compliance, and report status.
  • Quality Assurance: Implement systems, monitor metrics, and resolve quality issues.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Schedule consultations, facilitate public input, and integrate feedback.
  • Regulatory Alignment: Monitor changes, ensure compliance, and liaise with bodies.
  • Technical Support: Provide support, distribute guidance, and troubleshoot issues.
  • Performance Evaluation: Track KPIs, review performance, and report outcomes.
  • Innovation and Adaptation: Monitor innovations, update standards, and promote improvement.
  • Communication and Outreach: Develop materials, conduct seminars, and use media for dissemination.

Certification Department

Department Mandate:

  • Quality Standards Compliance Assessment: Undertaking meticulous assessments and evaluations of products and services to ascertain adherence to established quality standards, both at national and international levels.
  • Protocol Development and Implementation: Formulating and executing robust certification procedures and protocols in strict accordance with prevailing national and international regulatory frameworks.
  • Documentation Review and Verification: Diligently scrutinizing documentation submitted by manufacturers or service providers seeking certification, ensuring accuracy and completeness of information provided.
  • On-Site Inspection and Auditing: Carrying out comprehensive on-site inspections and audits to meticulously evaluate the quality management systems of enterprises applying for certification.
  • Quality Improvement Guidance: Providing expert guidance and support to businesses on strategies for enhancing quality standards to meet the stringent requirements for certification.
  • Certification Process Management: Overseeing the entire certification process, encompassing application review, audit scheduling, and certificate issuance, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to established timelines.
  • Record Keeping and Documentation Management: Maintaining meticulous records and documentation pertaining to certification activities, encompassing audit reports, inspection findings, and certification status updates.
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Responding promptly to inquiries and furnishing comprehensive information to stakeholders concerning certification prerequisites, procedures, and standards.
  • Training and Education Initiatives: Conducting informative training sessions and workshops aimed at enlightening businesses and stakeholders on fundamental quality management principles and certification protocols.
  • Standard Development Involvement: Participating actively in the formulation and revision of quality standards and certification criteria to reflect evolving technological advancements and industry best practices.
  • Compliance Monitoring: Vigilantly monitoring certified entities for sustained adherence to quality standards through routine surveillance audits and periodic reviews.
  • Complaint Handling and Corrective Actions: Investigating complaints and instances of non-conformities related to certified products or services and implementing appropriate corrective measures.
 

Director Name: Khadar Abdilahi Harir
Director Standards Department at Somaliland Quality Control Commission
The Republic of Somaliland
Email: 
Phone: +252634053704