Appointment to JAS-ANZ welcomed

Michael Willing has been appointed to the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (“JAS-ANZ”) for a three year term, announced Commerce Minister Margaret Wilson.

“JAS-ANZ supports trans-Tasman and international trade through the accreditation of organisations in both countries that conduct conformity certification programmes.

"Accreditation assists exporters of goods and services by gaining international recognition of certificates of conformity”

“Michael Willing’s professional experience in quality management systems and how they support international trade will allow him to make a substantial contribution to JAS-ANZ’s operations,” Margaret Wilson said.

Mr Willing is the compliance manager for Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, the world’s largest exporter of dairy products.

He has advanced the development of quality systems that are internationally certified through the International Standards Organisation.

At Fonterra he is responsible for the business management system that operates globally.

While at the New Zealand Dairy Board, Mr Willing was instrumental in developing the total quality management philosophy and approach that was adopted by the individual dairy companies.

Media enquiries to Elinore Wellwood 04 471 9337 or 021 864 811. JAS-ANZ Treaty JAS-ANZ was established by a treaty between New Zealand and Australia in 1991. Governing Board The Board is comprised of ten members, six of whom are appointed by the Australian government and three by the New Zealand government. The Executive Director of JAS-ANZ is the tenth member. One of the Australian members and one of the New Zealand members are ex-officio appointees representing the government of each party to the treaty. The chair and deputy chair positions alternate between New Zealand and Australia. The current chair is New Zealander Dean Stockwell.

The Board is responsible for:

maintaining a joint accreditation system that will give users in Australia and New Zealand confidence that goods and services certified by accredited bodies meet the established standards; obtaining and maintaining acceptance of management systems of Australian and New Zealand producers of goods and services exported from both countries; establishing links with relevant bodies in the areas of conformity assessment services and recognition of standards in relation to goods and services; and obtaining mutual recognition and acceptance of conformity assessment with relevant bodies in other countries. The Board is required to report to Ministers annually on its corporate intent, and to report its progress at the end of each financial year. The Minister of Commerce, Margaret Wilson, is the responsible Minister for New Zealand and the Minister for Industry Tourism and Resources, Hon Ian Macfarlane, is the responsible Minister in Australia.

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