BSTI labs upgraded to global standards, say speakers on World Standards Day

At an event organized on the occasion of World Standards Day 2025, speakers said that many laboratories of BSTI (Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution) have been developed to meet international standards. 

 

They emphasized the commitment to work towards establishing the institution as a completely international-standard organization through a joint initiative of the government and the private sector. 

 

Furthermore, it is necessary for the government to enter into bilateral agreements with various countries so that the certificates issued by BSTI are accepted by other nations. The meeting also called upon BSTI to be stricter against adulterators and counterfeiters.

 

Speakers made these remarks today, Tuesday, at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka at a discussion meeting on the occasion of World Standards Day 2025, titled 'A Shared Vision for a Better World,' which translates as 'Standards in Coordinated Efforts for Building a Sustainable Developed World.'

 

The event was presided over by the Director General (Grade-1) of BSTI, S M Ferdous Alam. The chief guest was Md. Obaidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, and special speakers included A. H. M. Shafiquzzaman, President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and former Secretary; Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group; and Md. Zafar Iqbal, Head of International Affairs of FBCCI. 

 

The keynote paper was presented by Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

 

Various business leaders, chief executives of manufacturing companies, importers and exporters, and experts involved in standard setting were present at the World Standards Day discussion event.

 

The Industry Secretary said, "I believe that BSTI is now in a position where in many cases, it has been transformed into a world-standard institution. Many laboratories in BSTI, including the established National Halal Laboratory, are of international standard."

 

He requested businesses to maintain the quality of products in the market after receiving a license from BSTI.

 

A. H. M. Shafiquzzaman, CAB President and former Secretary, said that BSTI is an important institution for the development of industrial standards. While they are doing a lot of work for the development of industries and the production and marketing of quality products, the public perception is not commensurate with their efforts.

 

He mentioned that according to the Allocation of Business, issuing Halal certificates is the responsibility of BSTI. It has an international-standard Halal Laboratory. If Halal certification can be promoted, Bangladesh's Halal product exports will reach billions of dollars by 2030.

 

He also requested BSTI to be more stringent against product adulteration and counterfeiting.

 

The Chairman of PRAN-RFL Group said that BSTI has undergone significant positive changes in the last few years. BSTI is a reflection of quality practice in Bangladesh. It has state-of-the-art laboratories.

 

"We, the business community, want to utilize the facilities of these laboratories."

 

He also requested BSTI to pay special attention to various issues, including Halal Laboratory accreditation, formulation of new standards in new fields, simplification of standards, and formulation of standards consistent with international benchmarks.

 

The Director General highlighted the developmental activities of BSTI over the past year, stating that ongoing initiatives include issuing online QR code-embedded licenses to prevent the counterfeiting and illegal use of the BSTI standard mark, establishing the National Halal Laboratory, Helmet Testing Laboratory, Solar Panel Testing Laboratory, and Cement Testing Laboratory, incorporating modern equipment, issuing certificates after verifying gold purity, launching 10 regional offices to enhance BSTI's institutional capacity at the field level, establishing new international-standard laboratories for product testing, and adding new product testing parameters to existing laboratories.

 

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