Why Standard Matters

If there were no standards, we would soon notice. Standards make an enormous contribution to most aspects of our lives - although very often, that contribution is invisible. It is when there is an absence of standards that their importance is brought home. For example, as purchasers or users of products, we soon notice when they turn out to be of poor quality, do not fit, are incompatible with equipment we already have, are unreliable or dangerous. When products meet our expectations, we tend to take this for granted. We are usually unaware of the role played by standards in raising levels of quality, safety, reliability, efficiency and interchangeability - as well as in providing such benefits at an economical cost.

Formulation of National Standards

As the secretariat to NCS, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology prepares a preliminary draft standard for an identified subject to be discussed in the technical committee meeting. The technical committees are generally constituted of technical personnel, experts, and representatives from concerned public and private organizations along with consumer forums. Detail discussions take place in this committee and as a result, a final draft standard is prepared in consensus. Comments are also sought from concerned authorities and are included in the draft. The final draft standard, so prepared, is put forward to National Council for Standards. The draft standard is discussed upon and is approved with amendments if any. The approved standard is published as National Standard. As of December 2001, more than 500 National Standards have been formulated.

Implementation of Standards & Operation of Quality

Basically, implementation of Nepal Standards is voluntary in nature. However under the provisions of Quality Certification Mark Act, Nepal Standards could be made mandatory for those subjects, which are concerned to health and safety of the consumer. As of Dec. 2001, 100 different industries covering more than 30 product groups have been awarded with license to use NS Mark.

Liscencing Process to use Nepal Quality Certification Mark (NS)

Nepal Quality Certification Mark or NS Mark on any product is the indication of third party guarantee being provided by Nepal Bureau of Standards & Metrology (NBSM) for the quality of that product. With. NS Mark, consumers are to be fully assured on the quality of the product and the manufactures are to be more confident on their production processes. Hence, it is a win-win situation for both sides.

To achieve the license to use quality certification Mark (NS) on the product, following procedure has to be followed in general.

The manufacturer has to fill up the prescribed application form to be obtained from NBSM. Submission of completely filled application form to NBSM along with the industry's Registration Certificate, Quality Manual and VAT Registration Certificat. Having been satisfied with the submitted documents NBSM conducts a preliminary inspection of the industry. In the preliminary inspection, observation is made to confirm, how far, the quality manual has been followed by the industry in its day to day activities. All possible tests of the collected samples are made in laboratory of the industry during the inspection and the duplicate samples are also tested in the laboratory of NBSM; Along with required suggestion, technical help and comments, the industry is asked to correct the non- compliances; The samples are also collected from market and are tested in the laboratory of NBSM against the Nepal Standard for that product; A surprise inspection of the industry may be carried out by the designated inspector of NBSM as when necessary; The industry is asked to submit two to three weeks test results of the product tested in industry's own laboratory; Samples, collected during surprise inspection, are tested both in the laboratory of the industry and of NBSM. If the test results are satisfactory and are in compliance with each other. all test results are complied and put forward 10 the committee of senior members of NBSM under the chairmanship for the Director General to discuss upon the matter concerning the issuance of the license to use NS Mark to the industry in question; All pros and cons are duly considered by the committee before granting a license to use Nepal Standards Mark on the product; The license is issued to the producer after receiving required fee and having signed on a bond to follow the directives given by NBSM; The industry is also required to seek labeling approval from NBSM before using NS-Mark on its product; The post license activities such as surveillance and inspection of the industry are conducted in order to ensure the commitment of the organization for quality production. In case of the noncompliance the license shall be withheld or suspended or cancelled depending upon the nature of nonconformance;

Prerequisite for grant of license application to use NS mark in the industrial products

Any manufacturer desiring to obtain license to use NS mark in his/her product has to apply to NBSM in the prescribed application form available in NBSM free of cost. Along with the application form, the following documents have to be submitted.

(I) Quality Manual of the manufacturing establishment describing the Quality Management System of the industry based on NS 301/302 (ISO 9001/9002).

(2) Copy of license from Department of Industry/or office of the company Registrar .

(3) Copy of registration with Department of VAT.

Future Plans

Pre-shipment Inspection
Pre-shipment inspection on various export products shall be conducted on request.

Quality Management system
After installation of adequate infrastructure and development of human resources in the form of quality assessor/auditor/lead auditor, Quality Management activity shall be conducted to take up internationally recognized -system certification based on ISO 9000 series of standards. Also, industries can avail support services from NBSM for installation and implementation of quality management system (based on ISO 9000 series of standards) including awareness creation, document development, and pre-audit.

Extension Plan
- Calibration of Densitometers/Hydrometers, Time Frequency and Clinical   thermometer;
- Accreditation of NBSM laboratories with internationally recognized accreditation   body;
- Import inspections;
- Providing technical services to promote HACCP and CP program to industries;