Damascus, April 19 (SANA) Experts and industry representatives said adopting ISO quality standards is essential to enhancing the competitiveness of Syrian industrial products and expanding their access to regional and international markets amid the country’s economic opening phase.
They said companies whose products meet internationally recognized quality requirements gain stronger market credibility and better opportunities for export growth.
Upgrading production lines
Industrial firms whose products have obtained ISO certifications said compliance came through integrated modernization efforts that included upgrading production lines, improving management systems and strengthening internal monitoring and continuous auditing.
Dr. Waseem al-Balkheem, quality and food safety manager at a food company, said the company introduced supplier evaluation programs, modernized production lines and established a laboratory to test products before release to markets, helping expand exports to several foreign destinations.
Dr. Maad Badawi, an administrative consultant in the food sector, said obtaining ISO certification requires specialized staff training, regular control systems and annual audits, in addition to surprise inspections to ensure continued compliance.
“Passport” to global markets
Director of the Syrian Center for ISO Experts Hani al-Ali described ISO certification as a “passport” for products and services to international markets, saying quality systems help ensure goods meet consumer expectations and strengthen the competitiveness of Syrian products.
He added that Syria already has institutions supporting quality systems, including standards and metrology bodies, but further modernization and accreditation of certification entities are still needed to enhance trust in issued certificates.
Importance of calibration
Engineer Mazen al-Rashed said regular calibration of industrial equipment is a core element of quality systems because it ensures precise measurements and reduces errors in weight, dimensions and volumes, particularly in sensitive sectors such as pharmaceuticals.
He added that documented calibration results help improve production performance and support more efficient technical decisions within factories.
Protecting credibility
Shadia Mubarak, general manager of a global certification company’s office, said Syrian institutions have the capacity to apply quality standards, but warned against the sale of ISO certificates without genuine auditing, saying such practices weaken credibility and create unfair competition.
She stressed that restoring international confidence in Syrian products requires real compliance with standards, stronger oversight and effective auditing systems.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent international body founded in 1947 and headquartered in Geneva. It develops voluntary standards aimed at improving quality, harmonizing specifications and facilitating global trade.
Kh.A
