The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution has emphasised on integrated efforts among government, private sectors, and consumers to ensure the production of quality products, prevent counterfeit and substandard goods, and maintain international standards.
The call was made at a discussion meeting organised in the capital鈥檚 Krishibid Institution on Tuesday marking World Standards Day 2025.
The Day is being observed this year under the theme 鈥楢 Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for Sustainable Development鈥�.
Industries secretary Md Obaidur Rahman attended the event as the chief guest while BSTI Director General SM Ferdous Alam chaired the session.
Among others, former secretary and president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh AHM Shafiquzzaman, chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group Ahsan Khan Chowdhury and FBCCI鈥檚 head of international affairs Md Zafar Iqbal were present.
The keynote paper was presented by Professor Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, pro-vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
In his address, Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman said that ensuring quality standards is not the lone responsibility of an institution alone, rather it requires joint efforts from producers, regulators, and consumers.
鈥楤STI has evolved into a globally recognized institution in many areas. It now houses several laboratories, including the National Halal Laboratory, that meet international standards,鈥� he said urging the businesses to maintain quality even after obtaining BSTI licenses.
Calling upon entrepreneurs, he said, 鈥楨thical production and marketing of quality goods must continue throughout the year-not just during Ramadan. Many countries reduce product prices during festivals, but we fail to do so....鈥�
Addressing journalists, he said, 鈥榊our writings and reports can play a crucial role in raising awareness about quality standards. We encourage you to inform the public about BSTI鈥檚 activities.鈥�
Obaidur further stated, 鈥楾he government鈥檚 role is not to run businesses but to ensure proper policy and supervision. We want entrepreneurs to take the lead in improving quality so that Bangladesh becomes globally competitive.鈥�
CAB president AHM Shafiquzzaman said that according to the Allocation of Business, it is BSTI鈥檚 mandate to issue Halal certifications, and it already has an internationally accredited Halal Laboratory.
鈥業f we can properly promote halal certification, Bangladesh鈥檚 halal exports could reach billion of dollars by 2030,鈥� he added.
He also urged BSTI to take stricter measures against counterfeit and adulterated products.
PRAN-RFL Group chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury noted that BSTI has undergone remarkable improvements in recent years and has become a symbol of quality practice in Bangladesh. He said, 鈥榃e, the business community, wish to take advantage of BSTI鈥檚 modern laboratory facilities.鈥�
He also requested BSTI to focus on Halal Laboratory accreditation, formulation of new standards, simplification of standardization procedures, and harmonization with international standards.
BSTI director general SM Ferdous Alam emphasised adherence to international standards to ensure consumer protection and competitiveness, saying, 鈥楥ountries strictly test and analyze products before accepting them for import. Therefore, we must align our supply chain with global quality benchmarks.鈥�
He warned that counterfeit and substandard products, especially in cosmetics and food, pose serious health hazards. 鈥業n recent drives, some cosmetics were found to contain hydroquinone levels thousands of times higher than permitted, posing long-term risks to kidneys, liver, and overall health, particularly for adolescent girls and pregnant women,鈥� he said, urging coordinated action from law enforcement and consumer protection agencies.
Highlighting BSTI鈥檚 recent development activities, Ferdous said that the BSTI has introduced QR-coded online licenses to prevent forgery and illegal use of standard marks, established the National Halal Laboratory, Helmet Testing Laboratory, Solar Panel Testing Laboratory, and Cement Testing Laboratory, and installed advanced equipment for gold purity certification.
He added that BSTI has also launched 10 new regional offices to strengthen institutional capacity and is expanding its testing parameters to include more products in line with international standards.
Government and private sector officials, business representatives and members of the media attended the event.
