Singapore - Standards for TradeSingapore - Standards for Trade
Overview
Enterprise Singapore develops and promotes a robust and internationally-recognized Quality & Standards ecosystem in Singapore. This ecosystem enables enterprises to become more efficient, productive and globally competitive. This ecosystem is a key pillar of Singapore’s future economy that helps to transform industries, support emerging areas, enable internationalization and promote good jobs and skills.
Enterprise Singapore participates in several international or regional fora such as the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Sub-Committee on Standards & Conformance (APEC SCSC), ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards & Quality (ACCSQ), and Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC).
To facilitate trade with Singapore’s trading partners, Enterprise Singapore has signed bilateral and multilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) with several agencies and governments around the world.
The agency also administers the Business Excellence (BE) initiative which helps organizations enhance their management systems and processes to improve performance. By adopting the internationally-benchmarked BE Framework, organizations achieve key certification milestones and can also vie for the prestigious BE awards.
Standards
Enterprise Singapore publishes Singapore Standards (SSs) by announcement in the Government Gazette. Singapore is a member body of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and a member body of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) through the Singapore National Committee of the IEC. To strengthen its linkages with industry, Enterprise Singapore works closely with the Singapore Standards Council, which comprises standards partners or experts from the private and public sectors.The Singapore Standards Council oversees Singapore’s participation in the development or monitoring of ISO and IEC international standards that are important to Singapore. It has set up 10 Standards Committees (SCs) to lead the development and promotion of standards in various industries or technical fields such as biomedical, building & construction, chemical, electrical & electronic, food, services and management systems. Under these SCs, various Technical Committees and Working Groups are established to undertake the development and promotion of standards.
The Singapore Standards Council also promotes the use of international standards. SSs are developed when there are no suitable international standards. Where relevant, standards developed by regional organizations such as the European Committee for Standardization, national standards bodies such as the British Standards Institution, and other standards development organizations, such as the American Society for Testing Materials International (ASTM), are also adopted as SSs.
Testing, inspection and certification
The Singapore Accreditation Council builds trust in Singapore products and services by strengthening Singapore’s technical infrastructure for conformity assessments (testing, calibration, inspection and certification) and forging mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with our economic partners. The Singapore Accreditation Council has signed several accreditation-related multilateral recognition arrangements (MLA) and mutual recognition arrangements (MRA).
These include:
- Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) MRA for testing, calibration, medical (ISO 15189), inspection and proficiency testing providers, as well as quality management system certification, environmental management system, food safety management system, energy management system certification and product certification
- International Accreditation Forum (IAF) MLA for quality management system certification, environmental management system, product certification, food safety management system certification and energy management system
- International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) MRA for testing, calibration, medical (ISO 15189) and inspection
Accredited test reports or certificates from foreign Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) are recognized locally if they bear the marks of the above organizations as well as the accreditation body mark of the originating country. In addition, the Singapore Accreditation Council was appointed as the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Compliance Monitoring Authority in Singapore. In January 2010, Singapore became a Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) adherent member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This means that GLP studies conducted in Singapore for the health and safety assessment of chemicals will be accepted in more than 30 OECD and non-OECD member countries.
Singapore has signed an MRA on telecom equipment certification with the United States. The MRA provides for direct entry of telecommunications into either market without the need for additional testing and certification. Under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Telecommunications MRA implemented between the United States and Singapore, products can be tested and certified in the United States for conformance with Singapore's technical requirements. A list of the recognized U.S. testing and certification agencies can be found at: www.imda.gov.sg/regulations-licensing-and-consultations/international-relations/mutual-recognition-arrangements
Enterprise Singapore also focuses on developing the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) infrastructure in Singapore to support and enable end-user industries. Efforts include engaging stakeholders and service providers from the public and private sectors to build capabilities, innovate and internationalize.
Publication of technical regulations
Technical regulations are developed by the relevant government bodies regulating a specific sector or area. For example, for certain categories of household electrical and gas appliances, it will be under Enterprise Singapore, for medical devices, the Health Sciences Authority, for building and construction, the Building & Construction Authority and for telecommunications, the Info-communications Media Development Authority. Companies from the United States are advised to approach these agencies to participate in the consultation process in the development of technical regulations. A list of these agencies can be found on www.sgdi.gov.sg.
About Enterprise Singapore
Enterprise Singapore is the Singapore government agency championing enterprise development. They also support the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups. They attract global commodities traders to establish their global or Asian home base in Singapore. Today, Singapore is a leading global trading hub with a complete ecosystem for the energy, agri-commodities and metals & minerals trading clusters. Singapore is also home to many global enterprises, startups and investors that operate in its robust pro-enterprise environment. Enterprise Singapore builds trust in Singapore’s products and services through quality and standards. Renowned for their dedication to quality and innovation, Singapore companies make ideal business partners. With Enterprise Singapore’s global network in over 35 locations spanning many developed and emerging markets, it connects businesses with relevant Singapore companies for their business expansion.
Visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg for more information.
About Singapore Accreditation Council
Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC), managed under the aegis of Enterprise Singapore (ESG), was formed in 1996 as the national authority for the independent authority of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in Singapore. SAC’s main role is to accredit testing and calibration laboratories, inspection and certification bodies (TIC). SAC also manages the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Compliance Programme, which recognizes facilities which provide non-clinical safety testing in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles of Good Laboratory Practice. SAC operates in accordance with relevant international standards and requirements, maintaining integrity and impartiality while considering national and public interest. As the designated Singapore representative for accreditation and related conformity assessment bodies, SAC works closely with government agencies on MRAs with regional and international bodies to facilitate trade for Singapore.
Visit www.sac-accreditation.gov.sg for more information.
About Singapore Standards Council
The Singapore Standards Council facilitates the development, promotion and review of Standards and Technical References in Singapore. This work is done through partnerships with the industry, academia and government organizations, under the national standardization program administered by Enterprise Singapore.
Visit www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/standards for more information.
Contact Information
Enterprise Singapore
2 Fusionopolis Way
#15-01 Innovis
Singapore 138634
Tel: (65) 6278 6666
Fax: (65) 6250 1096
Website: www.enterprisesg.gov.sg
Mr. CHEONG Tak Leong, Director, Standards Division
Email: standards@enterprisesg.gov.sg
Ms. CHANG Kwei Fern, Director, Accreditation Division
Mr. TAN Yee Teck, Director, Accreditation & Assurance Division
Email: sac@enterprisesg.gov.sg
Ms. Beatrice WONG, Director, Consumer Protection, Weights & Measures Division
Email: consumerprotection@enterprisesg.gov.sg
Mr. Patrick LIM, Director, Business & Service Excellence Division
Email: be@enterprisesg.gov.sg
Ms. LOH Soi Min, Director, Policy & Promotion Division
Email: ppd@enterprisesg.gov.sg
U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy - Singapore:
Mr. Chan Y K, Commercial Specialist
Email: yiukei.chan@trade.gov
Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to notify to the WTO proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that could affect trade. Notify U.S. is a free, web-based e-mail registration service that captures and makes available for review and comment key information on draft regulations and conformity assessment procedures. Users receive customized e-mail alerts when new notifications are added by selected country(ies) and industry sector(s) of interest and can also request full texts of regulations. This service and its associated web site are managed and operated by the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.