Nepal sets up accreditation centre to ease testing and certification
Summary
The government has launched the Nepal Accreditation Center in Kathmandu to speed up testing and certification, cut costs for businesses, and strengthen quality standards. Exporters say the move could reduce lab expenses and improve international recognition, but full effectiveness will depend on building capacity and securing global recognition.
Key Points
- The Nepal Accreditation Center has been established at the Department of Industry premises in Tripureshwor to oversee accreditation of laboratories, inspection agencies and certification bodies.
- Officials say the centre will reduce testing and certification costs, improve quality assurance, and help Nepali products gain international recognition in export markets.
- Exporters welcome the initiative but warn that the centre may take two to three years to become fully functional and internationally recognised.
- The regulation gives the centre authority to approve foreign accreditation, monitor accredited institutions, and penalize misuse of accreditation logos.
