As far as Quality Management System (QMS) certification is concerned, my first exposure was to ISO 9000: 1994, about seven years after the first ISO 9000 standard emerged from the former BS 5750. The 20 + auditable QMS requirements has resulted in a bewildering and voluminous mass of documentations. It was virtually a system of documents, contrary to a documented system. According to the standard, the company was expected to establish, implement and maintain a documented procedure for all the auditable requirements of the standard. It was a period when the standard was spreading like bush fire, creating a gold mine for Consultants who thrived on the ignorance of the client companies. Preparation and maintenance of the documentation alone, engaged considerable managerial time, and hence the tendency to consider ISO 9000 based QMs as an area separate from the Quality Assurance and other operational functions which has still continued to the present day. This created some dichotomy between the ISO Department and the other functional sections resulting in conflicts. On doing the QMS audits, as an independent auditor for many companies, I have the experience of being confronted with a cart-load of files and documents. This was of course before, the soft copy methodology firmly got established. Many of the External Auditors, spent considerable time, in checking Document and Records, in scrutinizing document reference and revision numbers of even the less significant documents and formats, rather than concentration on the more important requirements. In this respect, I have a great respect for one of the very senior officers of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, whose approach was to study the operational relationships and their effectiveness.

The transition in to ISO 9001:2000 saw some very significant and far-reaching changes, which the industries, took about one to two years to fully realize. It was a challenge for the auditors and the Certification bodies as well. A careful scrutiny of the eight principles of quality management, will show that they are nothing else but common business sense. The eight principles are:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Involvement of people
• Process approach
• Systems approach to management
• Continual improvement
• Factual approach to decision making
• Mutually beneficial supplier relations.

 A casual glance at the principles, will reveal that it is about common sense of good managerial practices., irrespective of whether one goes for certification or not. However, it was an uphill task to grapple these concepts and integrate them holistically in to the quality management systems. Process approach in very simple terms means how to relate the inputs to outputs through the value adding conversions and how to control the activities, realize the desired results. It is directly related to the traditional definition of productivity, namely the ratio of out puts to inputs. What was difficult to comprehend was the fact that, the other seven quality management principles also provide inputs for the process approach. As an example, the auditors found it a grey area when it comes to evaluating leadership, in the context of the process approach. Regarding the establishment of the Quality Policy, which in turn is a requirement under leadership, I have seen many quality polices with attractive wordings which more often serve as show pieces. Very few companies have used the quality policy to provide direction for the setting up of quality objectives. One of the meaningful but concise quality policies I have seen is “We do everything, correctly, right first time at all times’’.

While the 2008 version of the ISO 9001 standard consisted of some notional changes only, the 2015 version signified a complete change of the concept of quality stressing the importance of quality in business strategy, by considering the impacts of external and internal factors and the expectations of internal and external parties on quality and including risk management as an important aspect of quality. Although the prime focus on ISO is product or service quality, companies cannot ignore the impact on quality, which covers product quality (Q), Price (P), and Delivery (D). The recent impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on the above aspect of quality, was amply seen throughout the world. The above requirements under the Organization Context, is a move in the right direction, in integrating quality in to all aspects of the business. However, most companies and even auditors, consider this in isolation as another requirement of the ISO 9001, which need minimum compliance. Similar comments can have made on the Identification of the risks and opportunities of the operational processes.

Product and service quality is used by most companies as means of maximizing the profit. The Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, Milton Friedman in 1970, stated that the sole responsibility of a business is to “use its resources to increase its profits. As a result of the rapid growth in consumerism, both locally and globally, business firms operate in a challenging and continually changing business environment. The rapid change is supported by rapidly expanding technology, and particularly of information technology. Dynamic organizations are making serious efforts to keep abreast of developments, in the changing business environment, while many traditional and conservative organizations are failing. Change has become inevitable.”

While we cannot find any fault with this approach, one cannot overlook the Social and Environmental bottom lines, which together with the Economic bottom-line, constitute the Triple Bottom of Sustainable development. The role of quality management on the social and environmental bottom lines, is a concept that has great potential in the modern-day concept. The reduction of scarp and rejects, especially in the tyre industry, will improve the environmental performance, while reducing the health and fire risks, often caused by irresponsible dumping.

 Internal and external communications under the requirement 7.0, Support of the ISO 9001 and 14001:2015 standards are another area where adequate attention has been given. Despite the great advances in ICT, we can trace miscommunications as the root cause of most of the Non- conformance report raised during the QMS audits.

John Ruskin, the English author, (1819 -1900 ) once said, “ Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligence effort.” I have seen this famous quote adorning the walls in some offices of CEOs and Senior Managers. However, the perennially repeating non-conformances related to quality in a large number of companies, make me to wonder whether the management and the mangers, “walk the talk.” Companies have in their procession, a handy tool, in the disguise of ISO 9001:2015, to enable them to establish the standard procedures, (SOPs), operate them and control, but many consider it as something to worry about only during the external audits of the certification bodies.

In this respect, it is worthy of mentioning that, in my country Sri Lanka, there is a famous Buddhist Cultural Pageant, in August every year, that attracts locals as well large numbers of tourists from across the globe. For the past 400+ years, this event follows the SOPs, without any, awareness of the ISO 9000, emphasizing that there is no magic or mystery about ISO, but the prevalence of good common sense. (TT)

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Wallace Instruments has launched Wallace Instruments West Africa, a new Abidjan-based entity extending the UK materials testing equipment maker’s support for natural rubber producers across the region. The operation places servicing, calibration, spare parts and technical expertise closer to an established West African customer base that depends on Wallace instruments for plasticity, PRI and viscosity testing. The move is intended to shorten turnaround times and foster lasting local relationships.

Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s foremost natural rubber producer, ranks among the world’s leading exporters of technically specified rubber (TSR), supplying tyre and rubber product manufacturers globally, including the Americas. Properly maintained and calibrated instruments generate consistent, traceable results at source, strengthening confidence in shipment quality throughout the supply chain.

The Abidjan facility will feature a laboratory and training centre where customers can observe Wallace equipment in action and receive hands-on testing and technical guidance. Technicians trained by Wallace will use OEM calibration kits for fully compliant work, while customs-cleared spare parts stocks will cut lead times. An exclusive local partner will also provide servicing and calibration for other plantation and processing equipment across West Africa.

Chris Norval, Managing Director, Wallace Instruments, said, "Our aim is to bring trusted, traceable quality measurement closer to natural rubber production. Establishing Wallace Instruments West Africa helps our customers maintain reliable testing and strengthen quality control while giving the wider supply chain greater assurance in the test data. We're excited to be building our team locally and look forward to growing with the region."

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A new Bridgestone report released ahead of Tyre Safety Month 2026 reveals a troubling gap between UK motorists’ stated safety priorities and their actual tyre maintenance habits. While two-thirds of drivers rate safety as extremely important when replacing tyres, nearly half only think about their tyres once a year, and almost a third continue driving on them until an MOT failure forces action.

The manufacturer’s survey of 2,000 motorists found that 47 percent check their tyres only when an MOT is due, while 31 percent wait until being told their car will fail. One in five drivers admits to buying potentially deadly part-worn products despite being warned of the risks. Three in five motorists never check their tyres at all, even though 87 percent claim to know how to do so.

These findings arrive alongside TyreSafe estimates that 6.1 million tyres on UK roads are illegal or dangerously worn at any given time, typically because tread depth falls below the 1.6 mm legal limit. Department for Transport figures show that people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving illegal, defective or underinflated tyres rose from 169 in 2024 to 201 in 2025.

Bridgestone has conducted thousands of complimentary tyre checks across the UK over the past year and runs its Be a Bridgestone Road Safety Hero campaign, which offers drivers practical guidance on tread depth, pressure and tyre condition. The company also advocates mandatory tyre replacement as a penalty for driving on illegal tyres, a stance supported by 30 percent of survey respondents.

Helen Roe, Senior Manager for Brand, Events, Product and Digital Marketing, described the research as a timely reminder of the need to educate motorists. She noted that while drivers recognise tyre safety as the most important purchase factor, life-saving checks still are not happening, possibly because tyres remain an afterthought or because drivers lack confidence in performing them. She emphasised that tyres are the only contact points with the road and that part-worn products carry unknown histories and potential damage.

Bridgestone urges drivers to check pressures monthly when tyres are cold, inspect surfaces for lumps, bulges, cuts and cracks and verify tread depth exceeds 1.6 mm using a gauge or the 20p test. Motorists uncertain about their tyres should seek a qualified professional, with many garages offering free checks. The company says its community campaigns, educational resources and retailer partnerships aim to make correct safety decisions easier and to highlight how essential well-maintained tyres are to preventing accidents and saving lives.

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DUNLOP has unveiled a cashback promotion timed to coincide with the autumn motoring season, offering drivers a financial incentive of as much as EUR 80 on qualifying tyre purchases. The campaign runs from 1 October through 30 November 2026 and covers car, SUV and light commercial vehicle tyres. The exact rebate a customer receives is determined by how many tyres are bought and the diameter of those tyres in inches.

The initiative launches simultaneously across Germany, Austria and Poland, with France, Italy and Spain set to join in stages thereafter. Beyond the immediate price advantage, the company intends the promotion to showcase the breadth of its tyre portfolio. All DUNLOP tyres measuring 16 inches or larger bought within the promotional window qualify, while French customers can also claim on 15-inch tyres. In total, 891 products spanning 15 to 22 inches fall within the eligible range, 804 of them from 16 inches upward.

The eligible line-up spans winter, summer and all-season options suited to varied driving needs. Winter offerings include the DUNLOP WINTER, WINTER SPORT 5, SP WINTER SPORT 4D and SP WINTER SPORT 3D, alongside the year-round ALL SEASON 2 and summer tyres such as the SPORT MAXX RT2 and the BLUE RESPONSE TG launched in March. These cover small cars, compacts, estates, SUVs, motorhomes and light commercial vehicles, as well as horse boxes, boat trailers and caravans.

Summer tyres extend the range further, serving everything from daily commuting and long-distance travel to holiday journeys on country roads and motorways. Claiming the cashback is designed to be simple: purchasers register online at cashback.dunloptyres.com, submit their proof of purchase, and receive the corresponding amount once verification is complete.

Markus Bögner, President and Managing Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, explains, “A price advantage alone does not sell a tyre – it is ultimately its quality, safety and performance that are decisive. With the cashback promotion, we are creating an additional purchase incentive and giving potential customers the opportunity to experience the strengths of our tyres for themselves. If this leads to long-term customer relationships, we will have achieved our goal. At the same time, we are supporting our retail partners with their sales and strengthening the profile of the DUNLOP brand in the market together.”

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Liberty Tire Recycling has continued its push to keep scrap tyres out of British Columbia landfills and illegal dump sites through a series of community collection events held in September. Working alongside Tire Stewardship BC and Duka Environmental Services Ltd., the company supported roundups in both Kelowna and Prince George that together diverted more than 3,000 unwanted tyres from the waste stream.

The Kelowna event, part of a wider provincial effort to expand recycling access, saw 939 tyres gathered in just four hours. In Prince George, a major transportation and trucking hub in central British Columbia, crews collected over 2,100 tyres during a similar four-hour window while speaking with residents about recycling and sustainability.

Beyond simply accepting tyres, Liberty Tire Recycling uses these events to engage directly with community members. Team members in Prince George spent the day answering questions about how scrap tyres are processed and how recycled rubber feeds into a circular economy, helping raise awareness of responsible tyre management across the province.

Improperly discarded tyres remain a common problem in rural areas, where they create visual blight and public health risks. Old tyres collect rainwater that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and abandoned piles threaten farms, acreages and natural spaces. Recycling addresses these issues while supporting resource recovery.

Under Tire Stewardship BC's province-wide programme, collected tyres are transformed into playground surfacing, running tracks, livestock mats, safety flooring and other rubber products. The Regional District of Central Okanagan's annual tyre recycling event has removed more than 15,000 unwanted tyres from local properties over the past decade.

Liberty Tire Recycling entered Canada in 2010, though its British Columbia facility has operated since 1989, reflecting more than 37 years of combined tyre recycling experience. The company processes tyres in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario, and through the Return to Retailer programme, hundreds of locations across British Columbia accept up to four clean, off-rim tyres per resident, with officials recommending a call ahead to confirm capacity. 

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