CRCP demands for observing standards to mitigate disasters
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) has urged to observe standards for ensuring health and environment safety. Lack of awareness about the importance of standards is causing huge loss to our economy and our markets are flooded with substandard, counterfeit and adulterated product. There is need for comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue of substandard products, stated by Mian Abrar Hafeez, Secretary General CRCP, on World Standards Day.
World Standards Day (WSD) is observed on October 14 every year and this year the theme of the day is “Standards for Safer World” which aims at promoting awareness about the importance of standards in daily lives for human safety and protection against substandard, counterfeit and adulterated product; and safety against the disasters and catastrophes.
Mentioning the recent bloodiest earthquake in Pakistan, Mian Abrar Hafeez pointed out that though the natural calamities can never be circumvented, its disastrous impacts, both human and financial, would have been alleviated, had the standards been fully observed. Many buildings were damaged or fell to ashes due to use of substandard materials. These buildings include Margalla towers and so many others.
Mian Abrar Hafeez also observed that most of the products and goods available in markets are substandard which causes health risks to consumers and citizens. In this regard, the role of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), the apex body in Pakistan for standardization, is of pivotal nature. Though PSQCA has been very active in certification of the product, but lack of effective market regulatory mechanism, loose free the adulterators and providers of counterfeit products and services. Therefore our market is flooded with different consumable items with artificial dyes and other substandard ingredients especially in food items, medicines, and other products of daily use. Availability of these products is rampant in markets, especially in low socio-economic areas which at time result in series health consequences. Poor quality of water supply and sewage fitting by municipal authorities are resulting in mixing of sewage with drinking water. Poor implementation of national environment quality standards (NEQS) causes overwhelming degradation of environment and water contamination which often causes outbreaks of water born diseases.
Mian Abrar Hafeez demanded government, civil society and citizens to come forward to create awareness about the importance of standards and ensure its implementation. He also demanded PSQCA, Pakistan Council of Research on Water Resources (PCRWR) and Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PEPA) to fully enforce their relevant standards so that citizens can have better health and safety at all levels.