Stakeholders urge publicity of quality assurance certification

KATHMANDU, OCT 15 -

Stakeholders have urged that the government and the private sector increase publicity of the quality assurance certification, including the Nepal Standard, to promote consumption of quality products.

Last fiscal year, the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrolog y (NBSM) granted the Nepal Standard certificates to products of nine factories. So far, such a certification has been given to 144 factories.

The bureau issues certification in 863 product areas, including foods and beverages, soil, drinking water, chemicals, cement and energy and system management.

NBSM Director General Ram Adhar Sah said such publicity would make people aware about the quality of products available in the market.

“It will also help boost exports, minimising the technical trade barriers,” said Sah at a programme to mark the 43rd World Standards Day.

Pashupati Murarka, vice-president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed on the need for making people aware that such standard represents quality.

President of Nepal Chambers of Commerce Suresh Basnet said the government needs to supervise stickers and expiry dates of imported goods to ensure quality of goods.

Currently, NBSM issues quality assurance certification, including Nepal Standard and ISO certification of international standard, in eight areas. It recently started providing system certification called ISO 9001. The department is also installing an internationally accredited laboratory that can certify goods for exports.

According to Sah, they are in the final stages of receiving certification from the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies India for the lab. “NBSM also plans to expand its service of quality assurance in additional goods and services, besides the accredited lab,” said Sah.

Source: The Kathmandu Post