The World Alliance for Quality has partnered with the International Trade Centre to launch the Global Platform for Quality–a joint outreach platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access talent and expertise, advisory services, professional development, certification, and other support. The tools provided in the platform will enable SMEs to meet the growing technical requirements for quality standards demanded by international buyers.
The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organizations and the United Nations. ASQ is a founding member of the World Alliance for Quality. The World Alliance for Quality also includes the world’s foremost quality organizations, including the International Academy for Quality, Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers, and the European Organization for Quality.
Launched in June, the Global Platform for Quality will help to develop and reinforce local quality-related support institutions to offer SMEs new or enhanced services. Issue-specific support will allow for quality-related service providers and local experts to access talent and expertise across borders and regions. Similarly, the platform will facilitate the sharing of best practices and success stories, and create a global network of service providers committed to supporting enterprises in developing countries.
“Given the increasing pressure on exporting SMEs in developing countries to competitively comply with a multitude of quality-related regulations, standards, and other market-access requirements, there is an urgent need for a rapid, innovative, and effective transfer of knowledge and know-how to businesses on best practices in quality management,” International Trade Centre Head of Enterprise Competitiveness Marcos Vaena said.
European Organization for Quality Director-General Eric Janssens said the platform will allow quality organizations across the world to increase support for their SME clients. “It will also enable quality organizations to provide better and relevant support to ITC and its effort to improve trade for SMEs in developing countries.”
ASQ CEO William Troy said ASQ is proud to be a part of the initiative, which will further the reach and impact of quality worldwide.
“We believe that quality and continuous improvement tools, principles, and systems will help small and medium-sized enterprises everywhere become more competitive by accelerating their growth and operating more efficiently and effectively,” Troy said.