BSTI to regulate quality of gold, 42 other new products

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is set to regulate the quality of 43 new products, including gold.

Once a gazette is published in this regard, it will be mandatory for traders to get a BSTI certification to market these products.

The regulatory body made the decision during its 34th council meeting held on Sunday, with Industries Minister, Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, in the chair.

The 43 new products include low fat milk, flavored milk, ice lollies, natural mehendi, dishwashing liquid, liquid toilet cleaners, nail polish, gold, cotton saris made in power looms, tyres and rims of passenger vehicles, hollow clay bricks and power transformers, according to BSTI sources.

The regulatory body has decided to bring these products under its jurisdiction, keeping in mind increasing consumer demand, they added.

The standard of gold has been determined through hallmark for a long time. Upon release of the gazette, BSTI will examine its standards and issue a certificate, the Industries Ministry and BSTI said.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (BAJUS) said a state-of-the-art laboratory is required for gold testing. However, BSTI does not yet have such a laboratory. 

Dilip Kumar Agarwala, general secretary of BAJUS, informed The Business Standard that if these state-of-the-art facilities cannot be built in each of the divisional cities, BSTI will not be able to set the standard of gold. 

As per the approval granted during the meeting, the BSTI will set up 13 more regional offices, in addition to the existing eight divisional offices, to expand its activities in 64 districts. 

Industries Minister, Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, urged BSTI to take steps to determine the quality of halal products and issue standard certifications, given their sound export potential in the global market.