11
If you’ve ever wondered whether the products you buy truly meet safety and quality standards, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has just taken a major step to protect you. The authority has launched a nationwide enforcement drive targeting manufacturers and sellers who are producing or marketing substandard or unlicensed products.
As a consumer, this directly affects you because PSQCA’s goal is to ensure that everything you purchase, from daily-use items to industrial goods, complies with Pakistan’s national quality standards.
A New Leadership, a Stronger Crackdown
PSQCA’s newly appointed Director General, Dr. Syeda Zia Batool, has ordered a strict crackdown across all operational zones in the country. Under her leadership, the authority aims to reinforce a “quality culture” in Pakistan and raise public awareness about sustainable development and responsible manufacturing.
The enforcement operation has already begun in major industrial hubs such as Lahore and Faisalabad, and it will continue expanding to other regions in the coming weeks. So if you live or shop in these areas, you may start noticing stricter checks and cleaner market shelves.
Why This Crackdown Matters to You
Dr. Batool explained that despite clear standards, many manufacturers and traders still sell low-quality products often without passing any cost savings to you as a consumer. This not only keeps you from getting value for your money but also creates unfair competition for businesses that follow the rules and pay their taxes.
The presence of substandard and unlicensed products harms:
- The economy, due to tax evasion
- Consumers, who unknowingly buy unsafe or unreliable items
- Compliant manufacturers, who struggle to compete with cheaper, low-quality alternatives
By enforcing strict action, PSQCA aims to level the playing field and ensure you have access to safe, certified products.
Operations Already Underway
As part of the current enforcement drive, the Conformity Assessment Lahore Zone has launched a major operation targeting unlicensed and harmful items especially low-quality poultry feeds.
Inspection teams have:
- Removed unregistered brands from store shelves
- Issued warnings to retailers to stop selling illegal products
- Started tracking down manufacturers operating without approval
This has resulted in 35 formal notices issued under Section 14 of the PSQCA Act, 1996, to poultry feed units in areas including:
- Sahiwal
- Pakpattan
- Okara
- Sheikhupura
- Lahore
- Kasur
Manufacturers have now been instructed to immediately obtain mandatory Certification Mark licenses and comply with national standards.
PSQCA’s Role and Why It Matters
Established in 1996, the PSQCA plays a crucial role in protecting you and other consumers by:
- Developing and enforcing national standards
- Improving industrial efficiency
- Ensuring public safety and product reliability
- Regulating manufacturers through proper licensing
This enforcement initiative is part of the authority’s broader mission to clean up the market and ensure that only safe, tested, and approved products reach your home.
