HKSQ & CityU visit CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories Ltd.

I led the students from Biology and Chemistry department (BCH), City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and HKSQ members from the certificate course entitled "Quality Management for Laboratory" to visit CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories Ltd. (CMATCL) on 2 April 2011.

CMA is the acronym of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong – one of the oldest and largest chambers of industry and commerce in Hong Kong since 1934. In 1979, the Chamber decided to establish an independent entity of laboratory, known as CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories, from the CMA Industrial Development Trust as a technical arm to offer third-party quality assurance solutions and comprehensive testing services for a variety of consumer products. With profound industrial expertise, CMA Testing is driven to support the product quality and conformity development in the industry and trade in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The photo showed CMATCL locations. Moreover, CMATCL had a close relationship with S. Hui Geological Research Laboratory Ltd. At the beginning stage, CMATCL got the generous support from Dr. Stephen S. F. Hui by leasing them a certain unit of his property at Yan Hing Centre, Fo Tan at a very low annual rental rate. My memory is about $1 for 3 apartment per year.

Mr. Mann Hui (Sales Manager, Business Development Division, South China Region) gave us an overall introduction of CMATCL service.

The testing and certification services were summarized as follows:

l Electrical and Electronic

l Toys Testing

l Chemical, Food and Microbiology

l Textile and Garment Testing

l Material and Packaging Testing

l Environmental

l Inspection

l Certification

CMATCL has worldwide recognitions such as China Metrology Accreditation (also CMA) Accredited Laboratory.

Moreover, their inspection service was certified by General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine of PRC.

After the introduction, we had separated into two teams (one was CityU students and the other was HKSQ members) to visit different laboratory. I led the students to visit the Centre Instrument Laboratory.

Mr. Lewis Tsang (Deputy Manager, Food & Pharmaceutical Division) introduced the instrumentation and testing method to us.

The HKSQ member team was also come into the Centre Instrument Laboratory. There were many instrument such as GCMS, LCMS, AA and ICP, etc.

Then we visited the Textile Laboratory and Mr. Wilson Wong (Manager, Textile Division) explained different testing method about textile sample to us such as fiber identification.

Lastly, we visited the Microbiology Laboratory. The Microbiology Laboratory complied the Pharmacopoeia requirement such as cleanroom with BSC (test environment down to 100 class).

After the visit, they gave some tips to CityU students how to join into testing and certification industry. The key elements were "Integrity and Professional Conduct".

At the end, I represented HKSQ to present a souvenir to Mr. Mann Hui for their memory.

Reference:

CMATCL - http://www.cmatcl.com/en/index.html

HKSQ CLabQS - http://www.hksq.org/cert_hksq_clabqs.htm