These days, standard certification for locally manufactured products has become a must if the products have to be sold beyond the borders. Noting the importance and significance of the standard, Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) awarded certificates to six products manufacturer under the Cottage and Small Industries Flagship Programme.
The products are Tagma Handmade Paper, Himalayan Incense, Pema Jamtsho Bricks, Druk Peci, Colours of Bhutan and Cheychay Sanitary Pad.
The BSB inspects the products at their premises and certifies if only they fulfil the requirement of the standards.
“It involves looking at the types of machinery, the competency of the testing staff, where they are sourcing their raw materials from, what is their marking and it ends with the certification. We also do the yearly surveillance to ensure that the manufacturers conform to the requirements of the standards,” said Karma Wangdi, the Head of the Certification Division at the BSB.
Certification is the way forward to build the trust and confidence of the consumers.
“If you want to export the products to other countries, then certification is one of the requirements. Even for access to market, certification will help the manufacturers,” he added.
The certified products will now be recognized worldwide.
“Now people will have more assurance with our products. Besides, we are fulfilling the mandatory requirements and now we can participate in tenders and all,” said Pema Chozom, the Founder of the Cheychay Sanitary Pad.
“Because of this certificate, it will increase the value of my products in the market. I ventured into the manufacturing of pencils because we Bhutanese import Nu 3.5 M worth of pencils every year. It is a huge amount for us,” added Sonam Tshering, the Founder/CEO of the Druk Peci.
The Cottage and Small Industries Flagship Programme started in 2019 with a budget outlay of Nu 1.2bn. The programme which ends in 2023 intends to provide support to develop Cottage and Small Industries.
Sonam Tenzin
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
