08/10/2008 (Pakistan Observer), Karachi — For the first time Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has come out with the claim that under PSQCA Act 1996, the RBD Palm/Edible Oil is mandatory item to confine with PS Standard No.1561.

“Its sale, manufacturing and keeping in stock is prohibited until it is certified by PSQCA”, it said while taking notice of sale of 10 year old imported Palm Oil issue.

PSQCA said that under Trade Policy Order imported goods are subject to national quality standards and regulation.

Under the law PSQCA is the sole Authority to certify whether the item imported or locally manufactured meets conformity assessment parameters laid down under the national standards.

Keeping importance of issue of sale of 100 year old Palm Oil, PSQCA has issued notices to IFFCO Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Karachi and Kaghan Ghee Mills Peshawar telling them that they cannot sell RBD Palm Oil now in Custom’s Custody without obtaining a licence form PSQCA and certification that that this 10 year old oil is not injurious to human health.

In the nnotices issued to two parties, PSQCA said it has reasons to believe that they are involved in manufacturing, storing and selling of RBD Palm/Edible Oil without having any license and without certifying the same from PSQCA as required.

Thus, PPSQCA said, they are violating the mandatory provisions of PSQCA Act and the rules and regulations framed thereunder for which they are not only liable to civil proceedings but it is also an offence punishable under the provisions of PSQCA Act.

PSQCA advised them to immediately stop storing, manufacturing, processing and/or selling RBD Palm/Edible Oil and get the same certified and obtain license from PSQCA failing which PSQCA shall be constrained to proceed against them in accordance with law including but not limited to filing of criminal proceedings against their Directors/Principal Officers under section-22 of PSQCA Act at their risks as to costs and consequences.—APP