To Buy or Not to Buy?

Quality certificate mandatory

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.