National Policy for Quality Upliftment:
(Role of Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology)
Shree Krishna Shrestha
BACKGROUND
For the first time, the industrial policy, 1974 clearly recognized the need of wholesome improvement in the industrial production and productivity. The quantitative growth along with the quality product became the main focus. For this, a strong need of standardization and quality control activities was felt inevitable and the same was addressed in the industrial policy 1974.
Quality enhancement cannot be achieved without quality control and its effectiveness is greatly based on the standards. Hence a national standards body was felt to be essential that looks after the activities concerning standardization and quality control for qualititative improvement in the industrial production and to enhance productivity.
Under the chairmanship of vice chairman of National Planning commission "Nepal Quality Standardisation Committee" was established in 1976. Nepal Institute of Standards (NIS) was established as a secretariat to this committee and NIS started the process of formulation of national standards.
In 1980, Nepal Standards (Certification Mark) Act was introduced. With the necessity of strengthening the institution NIS was restructured and named as Nepal Bureau of Standards and was established under the Ministry of Industry in 1981.
Scientific and the Industrial Metrology is another important tool towards the quality control of any industrial product. To administer more efficiently, it was felt that Standards and Metrology should go together as quality control activity, standardisation and verification of weights and measures are so closely associated that they have to supplement each other. Hence, the organization was reconstituted and named as Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) in 1988.
NATIONAL POLICY
The 8th five year plan had focused on development of national standards and establishment of various sector laboratories for analytical services. The strengthening of the institution and the human resource development became the objective of 9th five year plan. Formulation of standards and Quality Certification Marks to industrial products were the major activities. The regular inspection, supervision and technical support to the industries bearing Nepal Standard Mark have enabled those products to maintain their required quality. Physical facilities for Metrological Laboratory has been extended to the users.
Stringent Quality Control and the conformity assessment is another important factor for the exportable commodities. The sensitivity of consumers from developed country towards using the products containing harmful and banned chemicals, color leads to having the necessity of developing the testing facilities inside the country. For this, the laboratory of NBSM is being enhanced with the necessary equipments and trained personnel.
In addition to the above policy and programs the 10th five year plan has further stressed on the following:
Promotion of System Certification Concept
ISO 9001 : 2000 based System Certification
Accreditation of laboratories
Pre-shipment inspections
Calibration of density, thermometer, time etc
Promote application of cleaner production concept in industries
Provide technical and administrative services to industries to upgrade the quality of products and systems.
To promote application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point concept in industries.
LEGAL PROVISIONS
Food Act 2023
This Act has been effective since 1966 for regulating the food products.
Standard Metrology Act 2025
This Act has been effective since 1968 for regulating the weights and measure system.
The Medicine Act 2035
This Act has been effective since 1978 for regulating the production, distribution, sales, storage, import, export and consumption of medicines.
Nepal Standards ( Certification Mark) Act 2037
This Act has been effective since 1980 for regulating the upgrading of overall quality of industrial products.
Nepal Environment Protection Act 2053
This Act has been effective since 1996 to control the environment from undesirable pollution.
Consumer Protection Act 2054
This Act has been effective since 1997 to safeguard consumer's health, safety and interest.
All these Acts are related directly or indirectly towards the quality control and enhancement.
Standard Metrology Act 2025 and Nepal Standards ( Certification Mark) Act 2037 is being administered and implemented by Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology. It also provides support services to the consumer protection related Acts.
ACTIVITIES OF NBSM
Under the approved national policy and planning programs, NBSM is carrying the following activities:
· Formulation of National Standards for various products, process, test methods in regular basis.
· Grants the license to use NS mark on industrial products in compliance with relevant Nepal Standards.
· Analytical testing services
· Calibration services
· Legal Metrology services
· WTO - technical barriers to the trade focal point
· Provide technical services to industries to upgrade the quality of product
· Provide training in quality aspects to personnel in industry and to private sectors.
Since 1999, every year, NBSM is awarding "NS Quality award" as a recognition, to the industry that has excellence performance in quality management activities. The whole criteria for the evaluation is based on the principles of ISO quality management system. Three industries among the best performance are selected. One with the outstanding performance is awarded NS Quality Award and rest two are awarded with Letter of Appreciation. Industries have shown more concern now for quality upliftment after their participation in this program.
In addition to this, NBSM plans to carry out following actions in near future:
· ISO 9001 system certification
· Establishment of national metrological center
Export and import inspection as per demand
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