INDUSTRY-WIDE, countrywide, worldwide -
if you don't have it
you're out of step with your
competition.
This special
ISO feature offers advice from
certification bodies to
ISO-seekers
and provides positive
feedback from companies
who have achieved
certification and are
reaping
the rewards.
IT MUST NEVER be thought that quality within the freight industry is going to solve all delays. There are outside influences that could override all efforts of the industry to deliver a client-focused service.
These outside influences include other systems such as Forestry Chain of Custody Marks, HACCP systems, Ship Safety and Exports Inspection. These elements can adversely affect the service delivered by the freight forwarder and clearer, says Dave Anderson, national certification manager of SGS South Africa.
Realisation has dawned that quality within the freight industry should be considered on a holistic basis, whereby all elements of the industry, including harbours, ships agents and subsidiary feeders all focus on international quality trends, he says.
Although most of the quality issues are the responsibility of the freight industry's clients, it should be realised that if goods are not received at destination at the correct time, the client's perception of the freight forwarder or the industry could be adversely affected.
This ultimately means that forwarders should be aware of influences that can affect their performance.
He cites four examples.
l When dealing with fish products destined for the EU, the international trend currently is for the supplier to have a HACCP (Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Points) certificate. This concept could in future spread to further products, such as beef, canned produce and alcohol.
l When dealing with wood products to the EU, no products will be accepted into the EU without Forestry Chain of Custody, whereby the products are certificated to ensure that only registered wood is utilised in producing these products.
l ISM (International Ship Management) certificate as from June will be required by all ship owners. Delays or even cancellation of freight movement could be experienced if ships' owners do not achieve ISM certification.
l Another example of development is that all medical devices being exported to the UK and Europe need to have a CE product mark, accompanied by EN46002 Standard, which includes ISO9001/2.
All these elements, although not directly the responsibility of the freight sector, could directly affect its performance, says Anderson, who states that information about international trends can only be gained from multi-national bodies such as SGS.
