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Govt checks 64 sub-standard products, KATHMANDU, September 7, 2004

‘Form body to certify ISO 9000’, KATHMANDU, July 8, 2004

‘Nepali goods need quality upgrade’
KATHMANDU, October 14

Envoys, businessmen and government officials stressed the need to upgrade the quality of Nepali products in order to compete in the world market. They also urged the need to meet the standards of the international products, as Nepal has become a member of World Trade Organization (WTO).

On the occasion, Ishwor Pokhrel, Minister for industries, Commerce and Supplies , said that exports can only be increased if the quality of the products can me matched with International standards. Nepali Industries have to improve their quality and be competitive.

Govt checks 64 sub-standard products
KATHMANDU, September 7

In a bid to check sub-standards and adultered consumable goods from the domestic market, the government, on charge of failing to maintain minimum quality, initiated action against 64 consumable food products over the last fiscal year.

Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) had inspected samples of 876 products nationwide over the year. Major products falling under the list of sub-standard goods of the department, are milk, fruit juice, ghee, oil, and mineral water. These products are harmful to health. The brands of sub-standards milk had higher amount of coliform bacteria, while quantity of fat fell far short of government’s quality standard. Oil contained with higher acid value in some brands of oils were found, which create digestion problems. Various food products mixed with harmful color.

Officials at the DFTQC were of the view that the department has not been able to effectively monitor and inspect the market due mainly to lack of rules and regulations.

‘Form body to certify ISO 9000’
KATHMANDU, July 8

Experts and the government officials pointed out that as the country has no institution to issue ISO 900, for quality production , many domestic companies are unable to benefit from its existence.

Speaking at a program organized by the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM), in the capital, they asked the government to provide monetary assistance to ISO certified industries.

Many companies are placing their products on the international market on the back of ISO certificates, some are failing to produce quality goods in absence of such regulatory body.

Kul Prasad Sapkota, Director of the NBSM, informed the gathering that the bureau is preparing to authorize a body to issue deserving companies the ISO 9000 certificate .”We are poised to do so within a year and a half,” he added.