The Pacific Quality Infrastructure (PQI) Initiative was established with the purpose of improving the quality of Pacific products and services manufactured in and provided by Pacific Island countries, consumed locally and exported to overseas markets, by promoting access to QI. The PQI Initiative is doing this by establishing a regional Quality Infrastructure, the PQI.

Why does the Pacific need a regional QI system? 
Pacific Island Countries have only limited access to internationally recognised conformity assessment services such as testing laboratories, which affects the countries’ economic competitiveness, the safety of their goods and services, and ultimately the quality of life of their citizens. From a trade perspective, if the quality of goods and services is low, companies will struggle to access and compete on foreign markets. Furthermore, without a harmonised and internationally recognised QI, intra-regional trade will not be possible because each country could create its own Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).

The creation of a regional QI represents the only viable option to assure quality in the Pacific region. The size of the Pacific Island countries, in terms of economies and population and the limited demand, would not justify the establishment of a fully-fledged national QI similar to what exists in developed economies or even larger developing economies as this would require considerable investments and tie up resources on a long-term basis. From this point of view, the PQI Initiative is particularly beneficial to the smaller countries as it seeks to develop a fit for purpose and sustainable QI appropriate for their needs.