OAC to help upgrade Oman's accreditation system

Muscat: By establishing Oman Accreditation Centre (OAC), the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion seeks to enhance confidence in the outputs of Omani standardisation bodies (the departments entrusted with testing and calibration labs, inspection departments and certification institutions), as well as parties closely linked to the process of verification.

The establishment of the OAC also reflects Oman’s dedication to compatibility with relevant international standard practices and specifications.

The step seeks to build national technical capabilities in various accreditation areas, develop quality infrastructure in Oman and disseminate a culture of awareness about accreditation bodies.

Imad Khamis Al Shukaili, Director General of Standards and Metrology at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said that the establishment of the OAC will contribute to the accreditation of various governmental and private standardisation assessment bodies in line with global specifications.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (represented by the Directorate General of Standards and Metrology) signed a cooperation framework agreement with the GCC Accreditation Centre (GCA) to establish a branch of the GCA in the Sultanate of Oman, said Al Shukaili.

He added that a contract was also signed with the GCA to help upgrade the efficiency of the Sultanate of Oman’s accreditation system and draw out a roadmap for Oman Accreditation Centre.