Audit confirms continuing effectiveness of PCARRD’s quality management system

Once again, PCARRD successfully hurdled the surveillance audit on its quality management system (QMS) against the requirements of ISO 9001:2000.

SGS Phils., Inc., a local affiliate of the global SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance) Group of Companies based in Geneva, Switzerland, conducted the day-long audit of the Council’s QMS on Mar. 8.

SGS lead auditor, Ms. Jocelyn Babaan, said that her team found a marked improvement in the implementation of the Council’s QMS. In her closing remarks, she challenged the management and staff to continue the initiative and raise the bar of performance of the Council’s QMS.

On recommendation of SGS Phils. Inc., the SGS UK Ltd., a certifying body accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), issued the ISO 9001:2000 certificate for PCARRD’s QMS on February 19, 2004, effective for three years and subject to annual surveillance.

The recent surveillance audit was the second of two that confirmed the continuing effectiveness of PCARRD’s QMS for providing central direction for S&T development in the agriculture, forestry, and natural resources sectors to the National Agriculture and Resources Research and Development System.

The ISO 9001:2000 certification initiative is part of the Council’s Continual Improvement Program that aims to enhance agency performance and service delivery to its client-agencies and the general public. (Alexandra Z. Cabrera, S&T Media Service)