The Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) will now standardise and certify weights and measures used in the markets annually. This is to prohibit the use of faulty weights and measures for commercial purpose.
To this effect, a note of understanding was also signed between the BSB and the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) today.
With the signing today, the OCP will mandate all business entities to calibrate weights and measures. The BSB will facilitate product testing and appropriate remedies to aggrieved consumers.
Besides promoting fair trade, the two offices will work together towards promoting ethical business practices to safeguard economic interests and safety of the consumers.
Loknath Sharma, the Economics Affairs Minister says the two agencies will support each other to primarily protect consumers and prevent unfair trade. “Be it into weights and measures or be it in any other forms of price fluctuations or playing with equipment or tools that we deal with, the two agencies will come into play. So I am hopeful that the MoU will be a tool forward to facilitate and benefit our consumers, traders and businessmen,” Lyonpo said.
The OCP will also request the BSB to develop national standards on products and services for promoting competition while consumer rights and safety are protected.
As per the agreement, the two agencies will exchange information, provide expert views and technical assistance in relation to consumer protection.
Kinley Dem
