RIYADH – TUV Rhineland Arabia awarded recently ISO certificates to King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA) and Al Obeikan Co. The three ISO 9001 certificates of Quality Management System were received by KACST for its solar panel manufacturing facility, SFDA for its Food Sector (head office), and Al Obeikan Graphic Center. Obeikan Graphic Center also received the certificates of Environmental Management System - ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Stephan Schmitt, Chief International Officer and Member of Board of Management of TUV Rheinland AG, praised the the efforts of Saudi government to increase the level of quality of products and services for the benefit of business as well consumers. “Getting the ISO 9001 certificate for one of the KACST projects will have the greatest impact on achieving the goals which the city was established for. These goals are supporting and promoting scientific research and coordinating the activities of scientific research centers in this area in line with the requirements for development in the Kingdom. KACST strives to achieve these objective in coordination with government agencies, scientific institutions to enhance research and exchanging information and expertise,'' said Dr. Mohammed Ibn Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, President of KACST. “ISO 9001 certificate came as an extension of the ongoing efforts of the Food Sector of SFDA to apply international standards in quality. All the procedures and policies had undergone a thorough review and audit by TUV Rhineland which granted the certificate based on the International Standardized Organization “ISO” 9001 requirements. Obtaining the certificate means adherence to quality standards in all operations and conditions, applying international standards and adoption of best practices in all operational departments in the Food Sector, thus ensuring standardization of work outputs'', said Dr. Mohammad Bin Ahmed Alkanhal, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA). Chairman of Al Obeikan Company, Fahad bin Abdul Rahman Al Obeikan, said that “receiving ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 certificates would push the march of the company to greater heights and ensure the implementation of the plans at the highest level.” — SG
