| Current market globalization
demands competitiveness, which can only be sustained with product and service quality.
This quality is not achieved without adequate quality control, this control is not
accomplished without measurements. At the same, measurements cannot be taken without
instrument calibration, and calibration cannot take effect without measuring standards.
Measurements are carried out in an accredited laboratory. This
program involves these four aspects.
|
On a worldwide basis there
is interest in avoiding or reducing environmental pollution of all types and this has
given rise to the concept of clean technologies. These technologies do not produce
contaminants and they involve energy efficient processes, using advances in
catalysis, reaction engineering, separations, and the use of renewable resources. Objectives of the OAS program are to assist institutions and
industries like the, Inter-American
Program for Environment Technology Cooperation in Key Industry Sectors, to
prevent and reduce pollution, assist in the evaluation of clean products and technologies,
offer an opportunity to do research, work and train people in these areas. |
Support of small and
medium enterprises is of high priority in the Western Hemisphere. Such
industries make sizeable contributions to the gross national product; they
have the highest employment rate; they encourage the transition from the
artisan to entrepreneur, they offer opportunities to youth and income to
needy social strata; and they also present a very large share of paid
employment for women. The Office, with the support of the
German Government and through the OAS/GTZ Project on Quality Management and
Productivity in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, has contributed to
improve the total quality management systems of participating SMEs and
national institutions of 12 member states through recommendations and
training. |
