The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is Pakistan’s national authority for standardization and conformity assessment. It was established under Act-VI of 1996 as a federal statutory body to provide an integrated framework for standards development, quality control, certification, testing, and metrology. PSQCA operates under the Government of Pakistan and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Federal Minister for Industries.

PSQCA’s mandate is to promote standards and conformity assessment in support of industrial development, consumer protection, and public health and safety. Its core responsibilities include the formulation, publication, revision, and withdrawal of Pakistan Standards; the operation of certification and licensing schemes under PSQCA marks; inspection, testing, and sampling of products for domestic use as well as import and export purposes; and the registration and oversight of inspection agencies. Under its legal powers, PSQCA may prohibit the manufacture, storage, sale, or export of products that do not conform to applicable national standards.

In addition, PSQCA serves as the national authority for conformity assessment and technical regulation. It establishes and administers procedures for certification, licensing, suspension, and withdrawal of approval marks; supports product grading and quality labeling; and provides technical services and training to industry. Its mandate also includes metrology, covering measurement standards, testing methodologies, and applied industrial research, particularly in the field of metallurgy.

PSQCA carries out its technical work through dedicated organizational units responsible for standards development, quality control and testing, and technical services, supporting a wide range of sectors including food products, textiles, chemicals, construction materials, mechanical and electrical equipment, healthcare-related products, and consumer goods.

At the international and regional levels, PSQCA represents Pakistan in global and regional standardization and trade-related frameworks. It is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Organization of Legal Metrology, ((OIML) and it participates in international conformity-assessment systems for electrotechnical products. PSQCA also serves as Pakistan’s National Enquiry Point under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. At the regional level, PSQCA represents Pakistan within the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO), supporting the harmonization of standards among South Asian countries.

Through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, PSQCA works with national and international standards and conformity-assessment bodies to support technical cooperation, capacity building, and the international acceptance of Pakistan Standards and certified products. Further details about PSQCA’s mandate, structure, and activities are available on its official website.