Quality Council of India Objectives, Structure, Functions,

Table of Contents:-

• Quality Council of India
• Understanding the Quality Council of India (QCI)
• Objectives of Quality Council of India
• Structure of Quality Council of India 
• Functions of Quality Council of India
• Focus Areas of Quality Council of India
• Quality Council of India: Driving India’s Quality Movement
• Key Objectives of Quality Council of India
• Main Projects of Quality Council of India
• Accreditation Boards of Quality Council of India 

Quality Council of India

The Quality Council facilitates the implementation of Total Quality Management practices. It comprises members from various levels of management within an organization, typically including the chief executive officer, senior managers from multiple functional areas (such as marketing, design, production, finance, and quality), a consultant, and a coordinator. The union representative may also serve on the quality council.

The primary purpose of the quality council is to provide overall direction and guidance. It is composed of the Chief Executive Officer, senior managers from marketing, design, production, finance, and quality departments, as well as a coordinator and a labour union representative. The coordinator reports directly to the chief executive.

The coordinator plays a crucial role in building trust, conveying the team’s needs to the council, communicating the council’s expectations, and updating the council on the team’s progress. Additionally, the coordinator supports team leaders, addresses problems, and facilitates knowledge sharing through regular meetings.

Understanding the Quality Council of India (QCI)

The Quality Council of India (QCI) was established jointly by the Indian Industry and the Government of India, represented by three premier industry associations:

1. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),
2. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and
3. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Its objective is to establish and operate a national accreditation structure and promote quality through a National Quality Campaign. QCI is registered as a non-profit society with its Memorandum of Association and is governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representation from government, industry, and consumers. The Prime Minister appoints the Chairman of the Quality Council of India (QCI) based on industry recommendations to the government.

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the primary ministry for QCI. It operates through executive boards focusing on specific areas such as accreditation for Conformity Assessment Bodies, Healthcare Establishments, and Education & Vocational Training Providers.

QCI’s vision is “To be amongst the world’s leading national apex quality facilitation, accreditation, and surveillance organizations, continuously improving the climate, systems, processes, and skills for total quality.”

Its mission is “To help India achieve and sustain total quality and reliability in all areas of life, work, environment, products, and services, at individual, organizational, community, and societal levels.”

Key Objectives of Quality Council of India

The main objectives of the QCI are:

1) To establish National Accreditation Boards, suitable for the country and under the relevant international standards and guidelines for:

i) Bodies certifying quality management systems, environment management systems, and products and carrying out third-party inspections.

ii) Registration of quality management personnel and training organisations.

iii) Testing and calibration laboratories.

2) To raise quality consciousness in the country through the National Board for Quality Promotion including conducting seminars, study tours and using other forms of promotion, by promoting business excellence through quality award schemes, competitions, etc.

3) To ensure the effective functioning of a national information and inquiry service on standards and quality.

4) To promote, coordinate, guide and implement a national quality initiative for building confidence in Indian products and services and for improving the competitiveness of the Indian industry.

5) To enter into arrangements with similar foreign agencies and develop procedures for the exchange and transfer of technologists and technologies, study tours, training in specialised areas of quality technology, conducting of joint projects, providing technical assistance in the establishment of quality consciousness and for other matters consistent with the aims and objectives of the society.

6) To encourage industrial/applied research and development in the field of quality and dissemination of its results in relevant publications including professional and trade journals.

7) To facilitate the upgradation of testing and calibration facilities and laboratories and to encourage the development of a national laboratory accreditation system for global recognition and acceptability of measurement and test results.

8) To raise the level of training for personnel engaged in quality activities including the assessors and trainees.

9) To develop and operate an appeal mechanism to deal with unresolved complaints.

10) To collect and disseminate information in regard not only to research and development but also to industrial matters about quality.

Structure of Quality Council of India

A brief about the Boards of QCI and their activities is given below:

1) NABCB

The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) assesses Certification and Inspection Bodies applying for accreditation as per the Board’s criteria in line with international standards and guidelines. The Board offers accreditation to the Certification bodies and Inspection Bodies.

2) NABH

NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation and allied programs for healthcare organisations. The board is structured to cater to the much-desired needs of the consumers and to set benchmarks for the progress of the health industry. The board, supported by all stakeholders including government, consumers, and industry operates with full functional autonomy.

3) NABET

The National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) provides accreditation to schools, training course providers and auditors that meet the Board’s criteria and also offers a mechanism for their international recognition.

4) NABL

The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) undertakes the assessment and accreditation of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, following the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 15189.

5) NBQP

The National Board for Quality Promotion (NBQP) as the constituent board of the Quality Council of India has primarily been assigned the task of promoting quality in all walks of life. NBQP receives nominal support by way of Plan Funds from the Government to carry out the National Quality Campaign. It has so far been doing this through two basic components ie. promoting the application of quality management standards and statistical quality tools, enabling industry to improve quality competitiveness of industry in general and the SME sector in particular. The second component has been focused on empowering the consumers to demand quality and create pressure on suppliers. The campaign is carried out basically by organising awareness programs for industry through QCI member organisations including apex industry associations i.e., ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI and sometimes with district industry associations. These programs are conducted in different domains of industry and across all geographical locations.

Functions of Quality Council of India

Quality Council of India is entrusted with two major tasks:

1) Establish and operate a national accreditation structure that has significant bearing in improving the quality of life and well-being of the citizens of India; and

2) Lead the national quality movement in the country through the National Quality Campaign, aimed at raising awareness among citizens and empowering them to demand high-quality standards in all areas of activity.

QCI has a single-line mission i.e. “Quality for National Well-Being”. A comprehensive plan has been developed for mass communication to educate industry and consumers, all over India, concerning third-party certification and accreditation and the importance of quality in all areas of life, work, environment, products and services at individual, organisational, community and societal levels.

Focus Areas of Quality Council of India

Current focus areas of the Council are:

1) Industry

The Quality Council of India promotes business excellence through quality promotion schemes, awards and other activities. The council also motivates the companies to form joint ventures to promote quality.

2) Education/Training

Realising the growing need to develop trained professionals in the field of Applied Statistics and Quality Management in the globally competitive environment of today, the Quality Council of India has initiated a special programme to spread awareness.

The programme, aimed at providing youngsters with the extra edge required to face the competition lying ahead, is an initiative of the National Board for Quality Promotion (NBQP), set up by QCI.

3) Public Services

One of the major focuses of the Quality Council of India is centred on improving the quality of life of the common citizen, who is the prime consumer. A change in the quality of life can occur only if the basic requirements of the common man are ensured and met with satisfaction, for which the quality of the public service delivery system is primarily responsible.

4) Healthcare

The Quality Council of India (QCI) started the Hospital Accreditation programme in 2006, with the setting up of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) to establish and operate accreditation programmes for healthcare organisations. QCI is geared to provide support to raise quality standards in government hospitals, blood banks and medical laboratories.

Quality Council of India: Driving India’s Quality Movement