THE construction industry's positive response to the international standards organisation (ISO) requirement set by the Housing Authority has been applauded by the architects, surveyors and planners constituency's legislator, Mr Edward Ho Sing-tin.
''You're probably the largest single group of ISO-certified construction companies anywhere in the world,'' Mr Ho said yesterday at a reception to celebrate the response.
Thirty companies, including builders, concrete producers, foundation contractors and material suppliers, have attained the ISO 9000 certification - from this month a prerequisite for undertaking Housing Authority projects.
Mr Ho said the requirement for the authority's contractors to have the formal quality management system was a logical step in its long-term drive for better public housing.
''It followed earlier successful measures to encourage greater mechanisation of the building process, and a steady move towards greater standardisation of components,'' he said.
The authority had taken a gamble in calling for ISO 9000 certification three years ago, he conceded.