Bangladesh Laws on Legal Metrology – Food, Medicines, Health Care, Life Sciences

Bangladesh: Bangladesh Laws on Legal Metrology

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“Legal metrology” refers to the part of metrology (i.e. the scientific study of measurement) which deals with units of weighing and measurement, methods of weighing and measurement, and weighing instruments and measurement, in relation to the mandatory technical and legal requirements that have been formulated with the aim of ensuring the public guarantee from the point of view of the safety and accuracy of weighings and measurements.

However, unlike the definition of legal metrology, the laws of legal metrology are not limited to governing weighing and measurement, but also focus on educating consumers by requiring the printing of certain conformities on the label of a package.

Commonwealth countries around the world have a great similarity in their laws, as most of these countries have their roots from the UK. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) strongly regulates the standards of legal metrology practiced throughout the country. Where in India compliance for legal metrology has been comprehensively covered by the Legal Metrology Act 2009 and its rules, the situation in Bangladesh is significantly different.

Labeling requirements or legal metrology laws for products in Bangladesh are mainly covered by the following laws

  • Packaged Food Labeling Regulations, 2017: The regulation establishes technical standards for the labeling of domestic and imported packaged food products, raw materials such as additives, flavoring and coloring substances, allergenic products, baby food, genetically modified food and sweet products for human consumption.
  • Bangladesh Standards for Weights and Measures (Packaging and Commodity), 2007: These rules, as the name suggests, are primarily regulated by the BSTI.
  • Safe Food Act, 2013: The standardization of imported products is checked to match the BSTI standard under this law.
  • Bangladesh Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaging and Commodities) Rules, 2007: These include rules for the sale of packaged products in the retail market, wholesale market, import and export.
  • Import Policy Ordinance 2015-18: Covers the conditions for importing wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages which are supervised by the Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control, Ministry of the Interior.

Legal Metrology and Packaging Laws in Bangladesh – Important Highlights

  • The BSTI grants certification authorization to products imported for customs clearance.
  • There are no special shelf life requirements for products imported into Bangladesh. There are no specific rules for granting an exception to the regulation.
  • There is no special labeling requirement for the sample size of products or institutional products for the restaurant industry.
  • The government has no provision on health claims.
  • There is no difference in the rules for imported processed foods, indicating that the exporting country will follow the package weight and measurement rules for production and export to Bangladesh.
  • All “genetically modified foods” must be added to the packaging of genetically modified foods. Importers from Bangladesh generally do not import products labeled GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) because most are unaware of the customs clearance process for processed food products labeled GMO. Importers are also concerned that the product will not go through customs as the approval process for processed foods prepared with GMO ingredients is not functional in Bangladesh.
  • Beer and wine of all categories can only be imported by hotels that earn foreign currency. In special cases, these goods may be imported with the approval of the Ministry of Commerce, the prior authorization of the Chief Controller, subject to a specified condition.

In light of the above, it can be established that although the laws of Bangladesh are not in stark contrast to those prevailing in India, there are some aspects quite specific to the country of Bangladesh. However, the above checklist is what covers legal metrology laws for exporting goods to Bangladesh. The practice of ensuring effective use of legal metrology laws is a big step towards maintaining healthy consumerism and consumer awareness, while keeping strict control over product quality while ensuring producer transparency, manufacturers and / or importers.

For more information, please contact SS Rana & Co. by email: [email protected] or call (+ 91-11 4012 3000). Our website can be accessed at www.ssrana.in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide on the subject. Specialist advice should be sought regarding your particular situation.

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