By: Sajan Maharjan

M.Pharm, 1st Year (2nd Sem) Kathmandu University

Standards Institutions

A standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics

that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for

their purpose. [3]

Standards make an enormous contribution to most aspects of our lives. Usually, when products

meet our expectations, we tend to take this for granted. We are usually unaware of the role

played by standards in raising levels of quality, safety, reliability, efficiency and

interchangeability as well as in providing such benefits at an economical cost. Standards used

may be local, domestic, national, international or global. There are several standards institutions

which develop and upgrade the standards on regular basis.

Some of the major standard institutions are:

1. Nepal Bureau of Standards & Metrology (NBSM)

2. International organization for standardization (ISO)

3. American Society for testing and materials (ASTM)

1. Nepal Bureau of Standards & Metrology (NBSM)

Nepal Bureau of Standards & Metrology (NBSM) is the National Standard Body in Nepal. It

is a Government organization under the Ministry of Industry. It is also the national enquiry

point for WTO (TBTs & NTMs) and focal point for National Authority on Disarmement

Affairs (NADA).

NBSM was established with a vision

To provide efficient and timely service.

To satisfy the customer's need for quality goods and services.

To raise awareness in the field of standardization & metrology. [1]

Government‘s Industrial policy of 1974 recognized that the economic development was possible

only through the industrial development in the country and the industrial development is possible

only through the quality production in compliance with required standards. Hence, it was felt that

there is an ardent need of an organization that looks after the activities concerning

standardization and quality control for qualitative improvement in the industrial production and

to enhance productivity. That was how National Standards Body came into existence in Nepal.

Under the "Nepal Standard (Certification Mark) Act 2037", Nepal Council for Standards (NCS)

was formed as the governing body for Quality, Standards, Testing and Metrology (QSTM)

activities in Nepal and NBSM is to act as the secretariat to this council. [2]

Objectives of NBSM

Harmonious development of standardization, marking and quality certification.

Harmonious development of scientific and legal metrology.

To facilitate development of production and exports.

Major Activities of NBSM

The major activities of NBSM are to:

Formulate national standards,

Operate the product certification mark,

Provide testing facilities and technical services in the fields of Standardization,

Metrology and Quality Control (SMQC),

Work as the third party guaranteeing agency,

Provide service for lot certification and pre-shipment inspection, as well as laboratory

recognition,

Launching of consumer awareness programs on quality,

Provide laboratory services for testing of various commodities,

Involve in environment protection,

Legal metrology and calibration services for weighing and measuring devices. [1]

2. International organization for standardization (ISO)

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of

voluntary International Standards, founded in 1947. ISO have published more than 19,500

International Standards covering almost all aspects of technology and business. Today, there are

members from 164 countries and about 150 people work full time for Central Secretariat in

Geneva, Switzerland.

ISO Code of ethics

a) Committed and organized to meet challenges of 21st century

As providers of solutions to business, government and society, ISO and its members

recognize that it is imperative to conduct activities in an ethical manner that deserves the

confidence of all parties involved in standardization and of the general public.

b) Developing globally relevant International Standards in a fair, responsive and efficient

manner

c) Promoting the implementation of International standards and associated good conformity

assessment practices

d) Monitoring ISO’s integrity and protecting ISO’s image

e) Taking into account the development dimension

Benefits of International Standards

ISO help to harmonize technical specifications of products and services making industry more

efficient and breaking down barriers to international trade. Conformity to International Standards

helps reassure consumers that products are safe, efficient and good for the environment.

Some of the important benefits of ISO are:

i. For business

Cost savings: International Standards help optimize operations and therefore

improve the bottom line.

Enhanced customer satisfaction: International Standards help improve quality,

enhance customer satisfaction and increase sales.

Access to new markets: International Standards help prevent trade barriers and

open up global markets.

Increased market share: International Standards help increase productivity and

competitive advantage.

Environmental benefits: International Standards help reduce negative impacts on

the environment.

ii. For Society

When products and services conform to International Standards, consumers can

have confidence that they are safe, reliable and of good quality.

ISO supports the involvement of consumers in standard development work with its

Committee on consumer policy (COPOLCO).

International Standards on air, water and soil quality, on emissions of gases and

radiation and environmental aspects of products contribute to efforts to preserve

the environment and the health of citizens.

iii. For government

Expert opinion: By integrating an ISO standard into national regulation,

government can benefit from the opinion of experts without having to call on their

services directly.

Opening up world trade: By integrating ISO standards into national regulation,

government helps to ensure that requirements for imports and exports are same the

world over, therefore it facilitates the movement of goods, services and

technologies from country to country.

Development of ISO standards

An ISO standard is developed by a panel of experts, within a technical committee. Once the need

for a standard has been established, these experts meet to discuss and develop standards as

follows:

Popular ISO Standards

Some of the popular ISO standards are:

ISO 9000 - Quality management

ISO 14000 - Environmental management

ISO 3166 - Country codes

ISO 22000 - Food safety management

ISO 26000 - Social responsibility

ISO 50001 - Energy management

ISO 31000 - Risk management

ISO 4217 - Currency codes

ISO 639 - Language codes

ISO 20121 - Sustainable events

ISO 27001 - Information security [3]

3 American Society for testing and materials (ASTM)

Organized in 1898, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), is a globally

recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus

standards. Today, about 12,000 ASTM standards are used around the world to improve product

quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence.

As used in ASTM, a standard is a document that has been developed and established within the

consensus principles of the organization and which meets the requirements of ASTM

procedures and regulations.

ASTM standards are used by individuals, companies, and agencies around the world. Some of

the important uses are:

Petroleum

Environment

Sports and Recreational Equipment

Development of ASTM Standards

Anyone who identifies a need for standardization submits a written request to ASTM

Headquarters.

ASTM staff research the idea to assess if there is adequate interest in the field.

Task group members prepare a draft standard.

It is reviewed by its parent subcommittee through a letter ballot.

After the subcommittee approves the document, it is submitted concurrently to the main

committee and the entire membership of ASTM.

All negative votes cast during the balloting process, which must include a written

explanation of the voters’ objections, must be fully considered before the document can

be submitted to the next level in the process.

Final approval of a standard depends on concurrence by the ASTM Standing Committee

on Standards that proper procedures were followed and due process was achieved.

ASTM’s method of developing standards has been based on consensus without borders. ASTM’s

process ensures that interested individuals and organizations representing academia, industry,

product users, and governments alike all have an equal vote in determining a standard’s content.

Participants are welcome from anywhere on the globe. Further, ASTM’s high quality standards

are responsive and relevant to the needs of the global marketplace.

ASTM has over 30,000 members from more than 100 countries around the world who are

producers, users, consumers, and general interest parties, such as academicians and government

representatives. These members write ASTM standards through their service on one or more of

ASTM’s 130-plus technical committees. It is these members who determine which standards

development activities to pursue. Anyone who has interest in the field covered by a committee’s

scope is eligible to become a committee member. [4]

References:

1. http://www.iso.org/iso/about/iso_members/iso_member_body.htm?member_id=1988

2. http://www.nbsm.gov.np

3. http://www.iso.org

4. http://www.astm.org