The Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), in partnership with the Japanese Standards Association (JSA), conducted the QC Kentei (“Quality Management and Quality Control Examination”) on 24 April 2023 at the University of the Philippines – National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP-NISMED) Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City. It was attended by 94 quality control personnel of various manufacturing companies and conformity assessment bodies located in National Capital Region, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Rizal.

The QC Kentei Pilot Testing is supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) with a view to develop an ASEAN Common Qualification Scheme for Quality Control Experts through the introduction of QC-Kentei certification in ASEAN countries. Among the objectives of the project are to facilitate the movement of skilled labor, to develop human capital in the region, and to enhance competitiveness through the production of high-quality products and services.

Mr. Daisuke Saito, Manager of Examination Practice Team of QC Kentei Department from Japan, and Ms. Catherine Antonio, Head of International Relations Section of BPS-Standards Mainstreaming Division (BPS-SMD), formally opened the examination through their welcoming messages wherein they emphasized the purpose of QC Kentei, its significance in improving the quality of products and services in ASEAN, and the advantages an organization may gain after receiving a QC Kentei Certification.

The QC Kentei is a Japanese private quality control qualification scheme established by the JSA which is used to measure knowledge in quality control and is intended for people working or preparing to work in any organization.

By having a QC Kentei certification, companies may gain the following advantages:

• Quality control awareness can be increased throughout the company and improve product quality;
• The level of individual quality control can be grasped and used for educational planning;
• The level of quality control for each area can be determined and used to organize the workforce;
• Increased organizational quality performance by hiring employees with certification; and
• In-house training and education costs can be lowered.

Ms. Jasmin Metre served as the Chief Exam Supervisor and was assisted by Engr. Ma. Teresita del Rosario, Engr. Myra Magabilin, Engr. Czerr Eljohn Cruz, and Engr. Gyver Ladisla as examination supervisors.

Results of the QC Kentei pilot test will be released online, via https://qckenteiph.com, on 26 May 2023 and via e-mail notification on 29 May 2023. Certificates will be sent via mail courier on 07 July 2023.

For more updates and information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures (STRACAP), please visit the BPS website at www.bps.dti.gov.ph. Emails and messages may also be sent to bps@dti.gov.ph or through the official BPS Facebook page (facebook.com/PHstandards)*

Date of release: 12 May 2023