President Address 2021

This year Hong Kong Institution of Certified Auditor (HKICA) has reached an important milestone on the history of the institution. HKICA has become the MLA Signatory of International Personnel Certification Association (IPC). The signing ceremony was held at the IPC AGM meeting in Singapore on 28 October 2018. The HKICA certified auditor system bench marking to ISO17024 international standard has been certified by China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) in May 2016, and now, HKICA becomes a leading International Personal Certification Body.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our Board Members, Government Council Members, Advisory Panel Members and all our supporters. With your continuous support, HKICA goes international!

Competency is the international trend for all industrial and servicing sectors. In Hong Kong, the story of Registered Safety Auditor scheme has demonstrated that a competency-oriented policy can address public concern and socioeconomic issues. We believe similar policy shall be adopted in Hong Kong. Competence and professional of auditors and internal auditors is the utmost importance for maintaining a healthy and quality for construction industry of Hong Kong, which will enhance our quality culture and will release manpower potential of the testing and certification trade.

For global market, mutual recognition of professional qualification for cross boarder services is one of the key factors to the success. To this end, Hong Kong Auditors’ professional status benchmarked to the International Personnel Certification Association (IPC) and having the Mutual Recognition with China Certification and Accreditation Association (CCAA) is an opportunity and key stepping stone for Hong Kong testing and certification industry going global.

During the thirty-first IAF General Assembly held on 28 and 30 October 2017 in Vancouver, Canada, the “IPC Management System Auditors Certification Scheme” received endorsement as a sub-scope of the International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAF MLA). HKICA being one of the eighth IPC MLA signatory is responsible for certifying IPC MS Auditors; approve training organization and training courses.

In Hong Kong, we have over 10,000 certification personnel supporting the quality management system, over 97% of the audit services is conducted by internal auditor and frontline quality assurance personnel. Our quality management system shall rely on professional auditors, in particular internal auditors. Sufficient and competent quality assurance expertise including internal auditors are vital to maintain an effective, reliable and sustainable management system.

In 2019, HKICA will provide a full spectrum of personal certification services (ISO9001, 14001, 45001, 22000, 17025, 15189 or other scheme demand by market) and approve recognized training courses for Hong Kong and worldwide.

We look forward to co-work with you all to safeguard the reputation of Hong Kong on quality services and product and to promote quality culture of Hong Kong.

Ir Dr Tommy LO
President