ERC steps up on meter-testing facility

By Myrna M. Velasco – February 2, 2019, 10:00 PM
from Manila Bulletin

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is reinforcing its meter-testing laboratory for it to gain ISO accreditation that will then give it the leverage to ramp up within scale of internationally-recognized standards.

For the agency to be bestowed with accreditation by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ERC Chairperson Agnes T. Devanadera noted that such will fundamentally strengthen its capacities and standards toward reaching international recognition on its meter testing undertaking.

The ERC said the meter division of the Consumer Affairs Service (CAS) of the ERC will lead and oversee the completion and proper implementation of the ISO/IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) project.”

Beyond the accreditation, the regulatory body indicated that this move will also “recognize the technical competence of laboratory staff.”

And on the sphere of the end-users, this will assure clients that the testing of their meters would be “reliable and valid”, which is critical in the provision of quality service.

As noted by Devanadera, “we owe it to the citizenry to secure and maintain their trust and confidence by assuring them of an accurate and reliable meter test and calibration results.”

On a more encompassing scale, this shall also reduce barriers in trade; and could save money if the first and initial testing of the meters could already be done right and efficiently.

“The ERC seeks to ensure an ISO accreditation for its meter testing laboratory in order to gain international acceptance and recognition of its testing and calibration results,” the regulatory body has noted.

As explained further, the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation will warrant ERC an “international obligation as member-signatory to international agreement and a more efficient and effective way of undertaking testing and calibration.”

Taking off from that, it could similarly widen collaboration with other meter testing laboratories as well as other certifying bodies around the world “by generating wider acceptance of results between countries.”

The industry regulator emphasized that “test reports and certificates will be accepted from country to another without the need for further retesting.”

That in turn, the ERC stressed, would be able to “improve international trade by way of liberalization of entry of goods.” (MMV)