Strengthening the Compliance of the OIC Member States
to International Standards
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Additionally, the EU has contributed €8.5m (85% of total contribution over 2006-2010) in a joint EU-
UNIDO Europeaid project6 to support the development of quality standards and quality management in
Bangladesh in order to meet international standards.
As a result of this funding, the National Metrology Institute was set up in 2009, to ensure accuracy and
traceability of various products, from food goods to highly engineered goods. The BSTI has also been
strengthened to become effective in standard setting and dissemination, including the setting up of a
modernized library and data communication services, and improved performance monitoring
mechanisms. The BAB has also been established and is working on mutual recognition from
international bodies, so that its certificates are internationally recognized.
These new systems are vital to diversifying exports. According to Ms. Ferdous Ara Begum of the Dhaka
Chambers of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), “the EU program works in an area that our country really
needs. We have been able to set up the National Metrology Institute, the Bangladesh Accreditation Board
and strengthen the Bangladesh Standards Institute. These organizations are significant for a broad
number of sectors, which require accurate and reliable measuring techniques”. Ms. Ferdous Ara further
highlights the economic impact of these developments. “This assistance will help Bangladesh to export a
wider variety of products and enhance acceptability of Bangladesh products in the international markets.
Industries in the local market will also benefit when better measurement techniques are available
locally”.
Other recent improvements include the promulgation of the Food Safety Act (FSA, 2013) that has led to
all residual products coming under the ambit of standards. The BSTI also began One Stop Services in
2008-09, which is a major achievement as nothing comparable is present anywhere else in the country.
There is a Citizen’s Charter that documents all services that are to be provided under the BSTI’s One
Stop Shop.
6.2.1.4 Standards-Related Issues in Export Markets
Bangladesh faces significant issues related to SPS measures and TBTs in export markets, principally the
EU. By one estimate, the percentage of exports facing NTMs in the EU, USA, and Japan was 91%, 94%
and 68% respectively. Of these experts, most faced multiple NTMs: 93% in the EU, 91% in the USA, and
63% in Japan. Of total NTMs that affect Bangladesh’s exports to these markets, SPS measures and TBTs
account for most of the restrictiveness (96% in the EU, 95% in the US, and 64% in Japan).