Move to ensure quality of goods

FE Report | Published: October 14, 2020 21:26:56

The government is planning to standardise and certify products to ensure their quality, industry ministry officials told a seminar on Wednesday.
Enhancing the quality of products is vital for widening the country's footprint in the international markets in tune with Bangladesh's different economic goals, they added.
They were speaking at a seminar titled "Bangabandhu's Dream for Developing the Industries: Role of Standard to Establish a Safe and Sustainable Globe' organised by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) at its headquarters, marking the World Standards Day 2020.
The day's theme was 'protecting the planet with standards'.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun attended the seminar as the chief guest.
State minister for industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder, industries secretary K M Ali Azam and president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Sheikh Fazle Fahim attended as the special guests.
The industries minister said the products made in Bangladesh must reach a global standard as the country is making progress in terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Merely attractive packaging is not enough, but the products' quality must be ensured," he said, asking the BSTI to play a significant role.
Hailing the BSTI's role so far, the minister underscored the need for extending its activities across the country and enhancing its capacity with modern laboratories and equipment.
BSTI needs to widen its services, as laboratory facilities are not available in every parts of the country, he said, adding that it is necessary for widening the Bangladeshi goods acceptance in the international market.
"We want to establish more international standard laboratories so that no manufacturer can evade the regulators," he added.
He also assured providing the BSTI with all required support from the government to strengthen the agency so that it can work efficiently.
Mr. Kamal Ahmed Mojumder said that some traders with profiteering attitude are still trying to dupe people with substandard goods.
"A vested quarter is endangering public health by supplying fake goods even in this ongoing pandemic," he said, adding that even a renowned conglomerate has been fined recently.
Md. Nazrul Anwar, the BSTI Director General, said the watchdog conducted 109 mobile courts across the country in the last month when 189 cases were filed and 15 traders were jailed for different terms.
Besides, 18 regular cases were filed against traders during 145 surveillance drive in September last.
The BSTI is mulling over introducing QR code in addition to the logo to help consumers check the products' certification.
"We want to introduce QR code which will be made available with the products' packaging and the certification so that the consumers can check the authenticity using mobile phones by themselves," BSTI Director Nilufa Haque said in her concluding remarks.
saif.febd@gmail.com