Companies registered in Macau are entitled to a subsidy ranging from MOP20,000 to MOP40,000 for obtaining ISO certificates, said Helena Lei, Senior Manager of Professional Training & Examination, Quality Management & Enterprise Support in the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre (CPTTM). ISO certificates are awarded by the International Organization for Standardization. The subsidy is just one of the new measures to support local companies, Ms. Lei said in a conference yesterday, adding that the number of years of operation for companies to apply for the subsidy is not limited and that the only condition is that the companies are registered in Macau. Eligible companies can apply for a subsidy amounting to a maximum of MOP40,000 on first applciation for ISO certificates such as ISO 9001- a standard for quality management systems. Discounts of 50 per cent off the courses taken by staff in procuring ISO certificates were another measure brought up by Ms. Lei. CPTTM will provide a delivery service for lab tests focusing on quality and safety for products such as textiles. Local companies can apply for subsidy for an 80 per cent discount on the testing fees. Types of ISO Ms. Lei stated that 1.6 million ISO certificates have been obtained worldwide, of which the largest portion is ISO 9001 – accounting for 1.1 million certificates. She added that 355 ISO certificates are registered in Macau now, with over 50 per cent of them ISO 9001. Usually ISO certificates are valid for three years as a continual measurement process to improve and maintain company management. She reminded her audience of ISO procurers that the location and operation of their business should be considered when trying to obtain the ISO certificates Ms. Lei stated that ISO certificates are a means for SMEs to show their quality guarantee in their management system to their customers. Currently popular ISOs are: ISO 20000 – related to information technology; ISO 27000 – regarding security for gambling operators; ISO31000 – for risk management; and ISO 20121 for events and conventions. In response to an enquiry about whether water was included in the food category for subsidies Ms. Lei replied that currently water is not included in the food category but that it can be discussed and considered.
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