On National Product Day
The Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institute (PSMI) is resolutely moving forward to develop and update its technical and administrative infrastructure to achieve its highest goal: the safety of the citizen first, protecting the environment and public safety, and contributing to supporting and developing the national economy.
Eng. Haider Hajjeh, Director General of Standards and Metrology, stated that National Product Day is a national day established by the Palestinian government on the first of November each year to encourage local products. This comes in implementation of its strategies to strengthen the productive base of the national economy. The day includes many activities and events that help support and enhance the citizens' confidence in their country's products.
Hajjeh added that Palestinian standards play a vital role in improving the quality performance of products and services. They have a significant role in reducing waste caused by the high percentage of non-compliant production, as well as providing safety and security conditions for various products and goods.
He further explained that the Institute has exerted great efforts to consolidate quality implementation in the national industrial sector. This is in line with the general vision of the Palestinian state and the Institute’s strategic plan, aiming to promote comprehensive and sustainable development, and to keep pace with the developments and changes in our contemporary world at all national, regional, and international levels. Accordingly, we emphasize moving forward with serious work to execute the tasks entrusted to the Institute and to actively plan for the implementation of many programs. The Institute seeks to provide the best services to beneficiaries to preserve consumer health and safety and protect the national product.
On the other hand, the Institute has worked on developing and updating Palestinian standards, with approximately 5,000 approved standards and 106 mandatory technical regulations. This aims to protect our national markets from counterfeit, poor-quality, and fraudulent goods, support the national and local economy in particular, enhance the competitiveness of the national product in the Palestinian market, and enable it to enter regional and international markets. Today, we find Palestinian products on the shelves of foreign markets. The Institute's national laboratories for testing and calibration have contributed to localizing testing services, saving time and costs for the national product, thereby achieving high-quality local products at competitive prices.
Hajjeh also mentioned that many agreements have been signed with neighboring countries to support the national product in foreign markets. The latest of these was obtaining the document of recognition and acceptance of Palestinian conformity certificates issued by the Institute for non-food products from the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization. This document allows the entry of goods into the Saudi market.