Our shining service stars   Reaching a major quality milestone   Singapore Customs gets nod from employees   Active lifestyle @ work         Reaching a major quality milestone Singapore Customs passed its third ISO 9001:2000 Renewal Assessment conducted on 30 and 31 July 2007. This represents a significant milestone in its drive to continually provide quality service and improve its business dealings with the public. The assessment findings revealed that the department maintains high quality and service standards in performing its key functions and responsibilities. Awareness and commitment were demonstrated by both the top management and staff during the assessment. The assessors noted the various improvements implemented in FY 2007, as well as ongoing initiatives such as the Employee Engagement Survey, Customs Service Excellence Project, TradeXchange, New TradeNet and eCustoms. They also saw the full internal audits conducted at all the branches as an important strength of the department. About ISO 9001:2000 ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. The ISO 9001:2000, which is primarily concerned with quality management, focuses on a number of requirements an organisation needs to fulfil to ensure customer satisfaction. The assessors were impressed with how Singapore Customs leverages on technology to verify corrective actions. For example, handphone cameras are used to capture corrective actions taken at checkpoints. Users can then send an MMS or email the pictures to the internal auditors for verification. Evidence can be printed to serve as supporting documents. Singapore Customs’ ISO certification covers the collection and protection of customs revenue and Goods and Services Tax, as well as trade and travel facilitation. The re-certification attests that the department follows sound business practices and has in place systems that ensure consistent levels of service delivery.   Copyright © 2007 Singapore Customs. All Rights Reserved.