SCRS Conference Day 2 Session #14
Closing the Loop – Uniting Ideas & Taking Action for Future Supply Chain
By Mr. Iftikhar Baig, Consultant EDLAB
There is no doubt that industry-wide standards like TAPA Standards have brought about significant consistency and elevated the level of resilience in supply chains and businesses throughout the world. Standards adoption will continue to help create a more resilient supply chain with assured quality, reduced losses and improved profitability.
Mr. Iftikhar Baig, Consultant at Ed Labs, shared, “TAPA has developed security standards, including facility security, checking security, guarding security, cybersecurity, and risk assessment. In Australia, the government successfully adopted TAPA Standards in their courier services, reducing costs associated with security inspections and audits. The Australian government also mandated that businesses looking to work with them must adopt TAPA Standards.”
However, implementing and maintaining these standards can often be challenging as it requires dedicated commitment, resources and a willingness to change within the organization. Resistance to change can arise as employees and stakeholders may be accustomed to existing processes and lack understanding of the role of standards in supporting the business. While smaller businesses may face resource constraints, it is more important to understand the financial impact of a less-resilient supply chain can undermine the existence of the business. Hence, a portion of resources need to be allocated which may vary according to business needs.
Overcoming Challenges in Standards Adoption
To overcome these challenges, Iftikhar highlighted practical steps that organizations can take to adopt standards effectively which include identifying relevant standards, communicating with stakeholders, assessing existing processes, developing implementation plans, providing training and awareness, and monitoring and evaluating progress. The benefits and Return of Investment (ROI) of standard adoption and its long-term impact on the organization must be communicated to its stakeholders. This ensures that the entire organization understands the significance of standards for supporting the business processes, resilience and sustainability.
Standard adoption is a highly recommended approach to improve supply chain efficiency and contribute to creating a more sustainable and responsible global economy. It is important to note that standard adoption is not just a formality or bureaucratic approach, but a powerful tool that drives progress, ensures safety and security, and enhances efficiency across sectors. Organizations must invest continuously in training, infrastructure, and compliance to successfully adopt and integrate standards into their operations. After implementation, staying updated with evolving standards and technological advancements requires ongoing education and engagement.
To promote wider standards adoption to support the supply chain industry, collaboration and communication are required among key government regulatory bodies, industry association, academy, businesses and other stakeholders. We must work together to develop and promote standards that have the needs and concerns of various stakeholders. Public private partnership can foster innovation, knowledge sharing and widespread adoption of standards across the industry, educating individuals and organizations about the benefit and importance of the standard option is crucial training programs, workshops, awareness campaigns can help raise understanding and encourage widespread acceptance of standards. Government and industry bodies should actively promote the value of standards and incentivize adoption through various means, such as recognition, certifications and financial incentives.
“By embracing and implementing standards, we can build a more interconnected, sustainable and prosperous future. Let us recognize the value of the standard and commit ourselves to the widespread adoption. Together, we can create a world where innovation thrives, quality is assured, and collaboration knows no boundaries,” Iftikhar concluded.
To learn more about TAPA Standards, please visit TAPA APAC website at www.tapa-apac.org or email to info@tapa-apac.org
About the Speaker
Mr. Iftikhar Baig Consultant, EDLAB
With over 25 years of experience in management system design, development, and auditing experience in global business operations, Mr. Iftikhar Baig is a qualified and certified Quality, Environment, Health and Safety, Social Accountability, Asset Management, Energy Management, Business Continuity, Risk Management, and Supply Chain Security lead auditor with over twenty-five years in the field management system consultancy and auditing. As a Senior Manager in Certification and Technical Head of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Compliance Services Pty Limited – Australia. Mr. Iftikhar Baig specializes in business management system integration and management system development for accredited certification bodies.
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