To Buy or Not to Buy?
Quality certificate mandatory

A chemist at the laboratory
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Sri Lankan consumers can now enjoy over 100 imported products due to
a cohesive quality verification process now in force at the gateway to
the country.
The Import Inspection Scheme launched in 1986 by the government for
11 designated products has today progressed to ensure that 102 selected
products entering the country conform to specific: standards.
Products with the word `imported’ have for long been regarded high by
many, but disconcerting reality is that since the introduction of free
trade, the quality of imports has diminished causing authorities to
subject them to all important checks before they are released to the
market.
The implementation of the scheme for products such as food,
electrical items, building material, cosmetics and household items has
had far reaching effects with the quality of products entering Sri Lanka
showing a remarkable improvement.
Once a consignment of a designated product arrives at the port, it is
referred to SLSI, upon whose recommendation, the Sri Lanka Customs
decide whether to release or detain the goods.
Approval of consignments is based on acceptability of the quality
certifications from the exporting country. past records and standing of
the manufacturer and importer. If the National Standards of the
exporting country deviate from the Sri Lanka Standards a test
certificate is required to certify that the particular requirement
complies with local stipulation.
SLSI also conducts random sampling to monitor the quality of
products, as well as, to check the accuracy of quality certificates.
Consignments that do not conform to relevant standards are re-exported
or destroyed. Protecting consumers from substandard products, the
Institution thus plays a keyrole in the country’s development drive
through the Scheme. |