The summit was also a platform to discuss challenges, as well as hands-on training to improve laboratory skills, trouble-shooting methods, and data analysis.

Regulations, policies, and criteria related to QC undergo rapid changes as market sentiment and customer requirements evolve resulting in QC professionals often facing difficulties in getting up-to-date information. In support of QC professionals, the Life Science Business of Merck organized this first-of-its-kind summit, where regulatory agencies, market leaders and QC professionals came together to exchange information and tackle QC challenges.

The two-day seminar and workshop attracted close to 300 participants from diverse industries including Food & Beverages, Agriculture, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, Testing Lab, Academic institution and governmental agencies, Water & Wastewater Industry and Chemical Producers.

In addition to having six prominent speakers covering topics ranging from laboratory accreditations and standard usage to market infographic and digitalization strategies, four experts from Department of Standards Malaysia (DOS), Merck Malaysia, Institute Chemistry of Malaysia (IKM) covered updates on regulatory and accreditations.

Jessica Sawai Jues, Senior Assistant Director under the Policy and Research Section, Strategic Planning Division, Department of Standards Malaysia (DOS) underlined the importance of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) for effective operation in the domestic market and towards enabling access to foreign markets for Quality Control related industries. Her view was resoundingly echoed by Mark Mariba, Assistant Director under the Liaison Unit in Accreditation Division, Department of Standards Malaysia (DOS) who stated that local QC companies ought to embrace accreditation of conformity assessment bodies (CAB) based on the standards (ISO/IEC: 17025, 17021, 17065, 17020) to enhance the acceptance of products and services, as well as to build confidence in the marketplace.

“QC companies should employ only the highest quality products in analytical testing workflow to be eligible for the accreditation and recognition by regulatory agencies”, said Jimmy Wong, APAC Marketing Manager, Advanced Analytical and Industrial & Testing, Science and Laboratory Solutions, Life Science Merck Pte Ltd (Singapore). He said this as he introduced the use of different grades of reference materials from calibration of measurement systems, validation of methods, quality control programs and reference materials that ensure accuracy in testing.

Li Hui Ling, Council member of Institute Kimia Malaysia, proceeded to clarify the chemical metrology for QC measurement and suggested the use of measurement standards under National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in QC laboratories to strengthen both local and international consumers’ confidence level and trust towards Malaysia products and services.

Other key topics covered during the seminar included:

• an overview of digitalization in IR 4.0 (Fourth Industrial Revolution) provided by Chandraprasad S Rajangan, Council Member of Malaysian Institute of Food technology (MIFT),
• chemical management and lab safety by Sulaiman R. Rahman, principal consultant of Zeta Consultant Services, who has 34 years of experience working in the Malaysian Department of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH). He emphasised the responsibility of employers toward chemicals used in the workplace particularly in laboratory settings based on OSHA compliance.

“Through the Summit, participants were brought up to speed on the latest regulations and regulatory policies.  They also acquired comprehensive knowledge of the framework and services on the development and use of standards, conformity assessment, accreditation, metrology, and market surveillance, as well as chemical management according to OSHA compliance,” said Angela Chong, Head of Commercial Marketing, Singapore and Malaysia, Science and Lab Solutions.

“By bringing these industry experts together, we look forward to helping companies ensure consistent production and maintain high standards of manufacturing with advanced QC solutions, which will benefit the society as a whole,” said Alex Zong, Head of Country, Singapore and Malaysia, Science and Lab Solutions.

Merck is committed to continuing this effort by collaborating and supporting local government regulatory agencies, industrial institution, and companies in the total quality control workflow to elevate QC levels and processes in Malaysia in accordance with global standards.