Organization Summary:

Name of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing

1) Organization : Institution(BSTI)
2
) Type of the Organization : Government organization
3) Location : Tejgoan industrial area Dhaka-1208
4) Date of Visit : 22.11.2017
5) Time of Visit : 11:30 AM
6) Guiding Teacher : Dr. Raihana Tahshin
7) Objectives of the Visit : To observe the existing facilities of the Institution
and know the major activities

Historical Background

With the Liberation of our country as an independent and sovereign state Bangladesh
Standards Institution started functioning since 1971.There was an another government
department named The Central Testing laboratory (CTL) which was established in Dhaka
in 1956 to provide testing facilities to government, private industries, Organizations and
business community.In 1985 Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institution comes into being
through an Ordinance (Ordinance XXXVII of 1985) with the merger of Bangladesh
Standards Institution and the Central Testing Laboratories.

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the only National Standards body of
Bangladesh, is playing an important role in developing and Promoting industrial
Standardization. Keeping in view that Standardization, metrology, testing and quality
control in the industrial spheres are the basic pre-requisite of the infrastructure necessary
for sound economic development of the country, the Government of Bangladesh has
established the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) with the merger of
Bangladesh Standards Institution and the Central Testing Laboratories in 1985 through
promulgating "The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Ordinance,
1985(Ordinance XXXVII of 1985)".

The BSTI is a body corporate and its administrative Ministry is the Ministry of Industries.
The Institution so formed has become member of the International Organization
for standardization (ISO) in 1974. At present, BSTI is the Member/Affiliate
Member/ Contact Point/ Nodal Point of the following International/Regional
Organizations:

International Organization for Legal Metrology (OIML)

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) of FAO/WHO
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP)
Asian Forum for Information Technology (AFIT)
ISO Information Network (ISO NET)
Standing Group for Standardization, Metrology, Testing and Quality

He Institutions task is to prepare Standards for all articles, products, methods and services.
The Institution can bring any product under BSTI's Compulsory Certification marking
after approval of the Govt. A regulation has already been notified by special Regulatory
order named BSTI Regulation 1989 for this purpose. The BSTI marks cannot be used
under any circumstances by others without approval in advance from BSTI. Only the
standards approved, and passed by the Institution are called Bangladesh Standards. As a
rule, the Bangladesh Standards are voluntary. The compulsoriness of a standard requires of
being as Bangladesh one..Compulsory standards are published in the Official Gazette. The
authority to which the Institution reports is the Ministry of Industries.

Introduction of BSTI

Since its inception BSTI has come a long way. It is expanding, laboratories are being
strengthened to upgrade at international level.At present BSTI is having 593 employees
which will be further expanded. Offices outside Dhaka will also be strengthened for
meaningful decentralization, so that the regional offices can function as a mini
BSTI.Realizing its importance the Government amended the existing bar that gave BSTI
the required legal authority for quick enforcement and ensure consumers protection.
The recent activities of BSTI have aroused enthusiasm among consumers. The Civil
society, media and business community are taking interest in the day-to-day activities of
BSTI. The Government is determined to make BSTI as an effective organization and
extending all possible support make it as an effective organization.
Laws Governing BSTI

1. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Ordinance, 1985 (Ordinance No.
XXXVII of 1985).b. The
2. Standards of weights and Measures Ordinance, 1982 (Ordinance No. XII of 1982).

3. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (Amendment) Ordinance, 1988

(Ordinance No. XI of 1988).
4. The Standards of weights and Measures(Amendment) Act, 2001
5. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Employee Service Rules, 1989.
6. The standards of weights and Measures Rules, 1982 (as Amended, 2006)

7. The Bangladesh Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged

commodities) Rules, 2007

REGULATION:

1.The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Employee Service Rules, 1989.
2.The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Rules 1989.
3.The Standards of Weights and Measures Rules 1982.
4. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Employee (Pension & Gratuity Rules 2002)

Salient Features of Wing wise Activities

Performance in fiscal 2012-2013 and comparative figures of the previous 2(two) years.

1. Activities of CM (Certification Marks) Wing

2. Activities of Metrology Wing
3. Activities of Physical Testing Wing
4. Activities of Chemical Testing Wing
5. Activities of Standard Wing
National Metrology Laboratory (NML)

1. Metrology Main Function

2. Metrology Mass Measurement

3. Metrology Length & Dimension

4. Metrology Force & Pressure

5. Metrology Volume, Density & Viscosity

6. Metrology Electrical, Time Frequency Measurement

7. Metrology Temparature Measuremen

The main functions of BSTI

1. BSTI is entrusted with the responsibility of formulation of national Standards of

industrial, food and chemical products keeping in view the regional and
international standards.

2. BSTI is responsible for the quality control of the products which are ensured as per
specific national standards made by the technical committees formed by BSTI.

3. BSTI is also responsible for the implementation of metric system and to oversee
the accuracy of weights and measures in the country.

Functions of the BSTI:

(a) To set up Bangladesh Standards of quality and dimensions and prepare and promote
the general adoption of standards on national and international basis relating to
materials, commodities, structures, practices and operations and, from time to time, to
withdraw, revise, alter and amend the same;

(b) To consider and recommend to the Government Bangladesh Standards for

the measurement of length, weight mass, volume, and, energy;

(c) To promote standardization, quality control, metrology and simplification in industry

and commerce;

(d) To secure compliance with the Bangladesh Standards adopted by the Institution by the
producers and users;

(e) To implement Bangladesh Standards through the administration of a

national certification mark scheme or inspection of goods or both;

(t) To provide or arrange facilities for examination, testing and inspection of commodities,
processes and practices for any investigation, research or promotion of export that may be
necessary and to issue test reports;

(g) To certify the quality of commodities, materials, produces, products and other
things including food materials, whether for local consumption, export or import;

Training / workshop:

1. Internal Auditor Training Course on ISO 9000.

2. Lead Auditor Training Course on ISO 9000 (two times).

3. Lead Auditor Training Course on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
4. Workshop on Technical Barriers to Trade TBT.
5. Workshop on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
6. Workshop on ISO / IEC 17025 Laboratory Accreditation.
7. Workshop on Harmonization of Standards in SAARC Countries (UNIDO project).

One Stop Service

The objective of one stop service is to cater quick service to the people within the
stipulated time according to citizen charter through extending BSTI's activities to the
concerned producers, importers and distributors of various products/items that needs to
undergo testing for issuing CM licence. As such BSTI has started One Stop Service as part
of fulfilling its commitment for rendering better service to the people. It also facilitates the
services of calibration of instrument/apparatus.
The following services/information are provided from the one stop service:
Procedures & time length for testing of samples.
Fees for sample testing
 Assurance of receiving sample testing report within the specified time.
Procedures for obtaining CM license & time length
Marking fees for CM license
Receiving application relating to weights & measures.
Procedures for calibrating an instrument/apparatus & time length
Fees for calibration
Dissemination of information/documentation
Distribution test/calibration reports.

To provide special service to SMEs and female entrepreneur and to those

seeking voluntary certificate
To bring transparency through the media cell.

ORGANOGRAM

Sectional Committees

The Sectional Committees of BSTI are as follows:

1. Chairman
2. At least one member from the Institution
3. Representatives from relevant Govt. / Autonomous bodies
4. Representatives from universities, and
5. Representatives from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The terms in office of the elected / selected representatives are 3 years.

The sectional committee approves the draft standards prepared by the concerned
preparatory groups A as Bangladesh Standards, adopts compulsory implementation
decisions on some standards if and when it considers such action expedient, amends or
cancels the existing standards where necessary arises therefore.

REGIONAL OFFICES

The Institution's regional organization includes 6 regional offices under which are
representative offices in all of country's 6 administration divisions.

A. Dhaka Division.
Dhaka Metrology Inspectorate
B. Chittagong Division.
1. Metrology Inspectorate
2. Certification Marks Inspectorate
3. Chemical Laboratories
4. Physical Laboratories
C. Khulna Division.
1. Metrology Inspectorate
2. Certification Marks Office
3. Chemical Laboratories
4. Physical Laboratories
D. Rajshahi Division.
1. Metrology Inspectorate
2. Certification Marks Office
3. Chemical Laboratories
4. Physical Laboratories
E. Barisal Division
1. Metrology Inspectorate
2. Certification Marks Office
F. Sylhet Division.
1. Metrology Inspectorate
2. Certification Marks Office
WTO-TBT activities in BSTI

Bangladesh is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 1 January 1995.
Each WTO member must set up a National Enquiry Point which is able to answer all
reasonable enquiries on standards, technical regulations, conformity assessment
procedures, etc. from other members of WTO and other interested parties there.

BSTI is the National Enquiry Point. There is an internal committee on WTO affairs in
BSTI and it participates in the notification activities to WTO through the Ministry of
Commerce and the Ministry of Industries.

Future Plan of BSTI

Since its inception BSTI has come a long way. It is expanding, laboratories are
being strengthened to upgrade at international level.

At present BSTI is having 593 employees which will be further expanded. Offices
outside Dhaka will also be strengthened for meaningful decentralization, so that the
regional offices can function as a mini BSTI.

Realizing its importance the Government amended the existing bar that gave BSTI the
required legal authority for quick enforcement and ensure consumers protection.

The recent activities of BSTI have aroused enthusiasm among consumers. The Civil
society, media and business community are taking interest in the day-to-day activities of
BSTI. The Government is determined to make BSTI as an effective organization and
extending all possible support to make it as an effective organization.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES of BSTI

The bilateral and international relations of the Bangladesh standards & testing institution
with other countries and various foreign agencies are conducted maturing the BSTI's
policies of relation with all organizations abroad.The Bangladesh standards institution is a
full member of the international standardization organization (ISO) as such, is the only
agency, authorized to represent Bangladesh in international standardization work. The
participation to the international work is made either through physical presence in fora
where the international standards are prepared in technical committee meetings or by
examining and evaluation whether the proposed standard conforms to Bangladesh
conditions reporting the finding to the concerned entity.

The institution likewise maintains an active participation with the SAARC standing
committee on standards, metrology, testing and quality. Chamber of commerce and
industries disseminates information on the seminars and symposia organized by these
organizations and BSTI ensures, whenever possible, the dispatch or delegations to these
events.

The BSTI maintains relations with BIPM, OIML, APMP, WTO, ITC, codex A.C. of FAO
and other international and regional organization.Quality control and information experts
have been brought to the institution, using opportunities offered by the UNDP, BSTI
experts attend meeting, seminars and workshops arranged and sponsored by WTO, ITC,
SIDA of Sweden, ISO, PRODEC of Finland, INBAR, APMP, CSC, PORIM etc.

Product Leveling Policy

There is a Product Labelling Policy, 2006 in Bangladesh. At present

manufacturer's/Impoters labell their product at their own choice. To realise the
importance of national product labelling standards, BSTI took initiative to
formulate this Product Labelling Policy. Manufacturer's name, full address and
Country of origin has been incorporated in the product labelling for all products. In
addition, Ingredients, Composition, Batch no., Code no., Expiry date/Use best
before on and other information

which are necessary has been incorporated in Chemical, Agriculture and Food
products. The weights and measures will be expressed in System International
Units.In the 16th Council Meeting of BSTI held on a 10 (ten) members committee
headed by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries was constituted for the
preparation of the final recommendation of the labelling policy. Later on, this
committee finalized the product label classifications with the help of different
organizations by taking their opinion / recommendations and finalized the Product
Labelling Policy to protect the interest of manufacturer's, suppliers, importers,
exporters and consumers for Free Trade and fair competition.After final approval
of the Cabinet Committee of GOB it has already been printed as "Product
Labelling Policy - 2006 "
Limitation

1. BSTI needs more skilled manpower to provide better service.

2. Equipment facilities should be strengthening.
3. Inadequate laboratory facility.

Conclusion

BSTI, the only NSB of Bangladesh is performing its noble task of setting national

standards on various products and provide services to the exporters in sorting their

problems out and giving advice to resolve those problems. Mention may be made that it is

an established fact that for increasing the volume of export basket of a country, a very

healthy and vibrant relationship between NSBs and TPOs is essentially required

Recommedation:

1. Should be establish more district area for remote district

2. Infrastructure good but lack of proper ventilation.
3. BSTI needs more skilled manpower to provide better service.
4. Need to be periodic supervising and monitoring.