India has agreed to give recognition to Nepal's quality standards at a Commerce Secretary-level meeting between the two countries held in Kathmandu.
The Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology and the Bureau of Indian Standards have agreed to examine the quality of industrial products of both the countries.
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control of Nepal and the Indian the Food Security and Standards Authority of India held discussions on issues including foods and reached an agreement to examine quality of foods, certification, mutual norms and exchange of cooperation on capacity building.
The Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Baburam Adhikari, stated that, contrary to the existing agreement, goods tested and approved by Nepali laboratories are not being issued standard stickers by the relevant Indian department.
"Nepal and India have reached an agreement, according to which, India will recognize the Nepal's quality standards and laboratories by India," said Adhikari, "A separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will singed to this effect."
The goods produced in Nepal and India must be of equal standards, according to this agreement.
The Indian side has agreed to issue BIS certification and expedite its renewal process to Nepali goods including shoes, plywood, yarn, sanitary pads, cement, zinc-sheets and steel goods.
Once India recognizes Nepal's certification marks, the aforementioned Nepali products do not need to get certified by the relevant department of India.
The entrepreneurs including those from cement have been facing hassles under the current existing agreement.
"The Indian side has agreed to harmonize the standards of both the countries. This harmonization will facilitate hassle-free exports for Nepali industrialists, including those in the cement sector," said Adhikari.
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