Hanah Jung
Nemko Direct Project Handler
Define your role within Nemko.
I am a Nemko Direct Project Handler. I help my clients understand each country's certification requirements, plan the test for their products, and help to issue certificates by handling the items, documents, and procedures required for the certification. By doing so, we are helping our customers get their products to market as quickly as possible in the countries they want.
How did you choose this career path?
I was looking for an environment where I could work globally because I like to meet and communicate with people worldwide. At that time, someone I knew who worked at Nemko suggested I apply, and I did, and I met my current colleagues. I still enjoy meeting overseas customers and working with people from offices in various countries, including Nemko’s overseas GMA family.
What do you enjoy most about your job at Nemko?
I love this position because it allows me to communicate with a lot of people around the world. I can meet people from various countries, organizations, and positions, from top managers to assistants. I can meet and know many companies worldwide whose products and stories are fascinating. I can manage and run the process of my certification projects actively. I usually feel I am alive when I do something actively by myself. My pleasure is doubled when my clients are satisfied with my service.
Are there any challenges that you’ve faced during your career that have taught you important lessons?
The most important skill for a project handler is project management since we usually carry out dozens of IA projects simultaneously. Three years ago, one of our customers changed their circuit of samples repeatedly even though the certification process was going on. I had to adjust the schedule, and price, and ship the samples frequently. That meant that the lab had to test again and again. It affected my other projects, and I had no choice but to overwork. At that time, I learned that balancing time and distributing my efforts required for each project are essential skills for managing all my projects within the deadline.
What do you think the industry will look like in 20 years?
I think the standards will be much more harmonized globally. The globalization of many things like culture, technical area, etc. It is being intensified as time goes on. So do the standards field. So, I think it will be easier to get the certificates. The case of shipping samples to conduct safety testing would be reduced. Still, the portion of paper working would be increased, e.g., reviewing the test reports issued by the lab located in the manufacturer’s country. MoU systems, such as MRA, CB scheme, and EAC, will be expanded much more in the future. It would make the certification process simplified more, and it would lead to making our clients easier to export their products at a better price.
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
It is rewarding when my clients are satisfied with my service, primarily when the problems that occurred in the certification process are solved with the solution that I find by moving actively between certification bodies (or sub-contractors) and our customers. Of course, we can work passively, just following fixed steps or a set process. However, we can actively think about what we can do on the customer’s side. It is rewarding to complete the project with the efficient and right solution that I find.
What are some market trends you’re keeping an eye on?
The first is the delay or changes in the certification process due to international issues such as Covid 19 or war. For example, there were lots of shutdown cases of many overseas certification bodies when the Coronavirus occurred. EAC certificates are difficult to be acknowledged when the relations between Russia and Belarus have strained, even though EAC certification can be accepted in 5 EAEU countries according to the Eurasian union. If we face these troubles, we must find alternative routes or options quickly before our customer’s marketing plan is screwed up. The second one is the trend of market prices. The market price of international approval is going south. The case of paper working, such as reviewing test reports to obtain IA certificates, would be increased as standards become harmonized more, and it will lead to a lower price than testing each product as the certification process is simplified. Therefore, we, NDPHs, need to develop sub-contractors who can handle the IA certification process at a better price to maintain a certain level of net sales.
When not working, how do you spend your spare time?
My baby is one year old. He is too young, so it isn't easy for me to have some free time these days. I am trying to spend time with my baby when I am not working in my office. I usually spend my time seeing good things and eating delicious food with the people I love. I believe this is the greatest happiness in my life.
