Accra:The 57th World Standards Day will be observed tomorrow, focusing on the promotion of affordable and clean energy while ensuring the efficient use of energy resources. The theme for this year is 'Shared Vision for a Better World - Affordable and Clean Energy,' as stated in a press release.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the theme has been jointly established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This aligns with the United Nations' seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which emphasizes providing affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Achieving this goal necessitates not only an increase in energy production but also the optimal use of every unit of generated energy.
The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has developed 79 standards specifically for solar panels, inverters, charge controllers, and batteries, ensuring the durability and quality of solar power systems. These standards undergo regular updates to match international benchmarks. BSTI oversees 4,631 standards in total, with its headquarters featuring a solar panel testing laboratory. This facility is equipped with an advanced German-made 'Sun Simulator,' capable of testing solar panels up to 1,000 watts, ensuring compliance with international guidelines.
To commemorate World Standards Day, BSTI plans to conduct discussions and awareness campaigns at its headquarters and regional offices. Banners, festoons, and placards have been displayed throughout the capital to promote the event. Beyond setting standards for various products, BSTI is actively involved in protecting consumer rights by maintaining product quality through standardization, testing, and certification processes.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, BSTI executed approximately 3,000 surveillance operations to enforce product quality standards. These efforts resulted in fines amounting to Tk 38,030,100, with 33 establishments sealed and nine individuals sentenced for various offences. BSTI also filed 924 cases through mobile courts, settling 921 of them, and issued 3,916 new licences while renewing 4,911. Additionally, the institution rejected 835 licence applications.
Under BSTI regulations, products requiring mandatory certification cannot be sold without relevant approvals, and each product needs separate certification. Imported products must also undergo quality verification and testing. BSTI's enforcement includes factory inspections, sample testing, and compliance monitoring. Depending on the violations, legal actions, fines, or factory closures may ensue.
Finally, BSTI aims to enhance its product-testing capacity through a project estimated at Tk 8.52 billion. This includes modernizing laboratories, expanding regional testing facilities, and increasing skilled personnel to ensure high-quality products for consumers.