Overview
Nepal generally follows internationally recognized standards; it does not follow the ISO 9000 series. Institutions charged with establishing standards include the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology and the Department of Drug Administration. Food product standards are generally set under the Food Act and Nepal Standard (Certification Mark) Act. The law regarding the import of products other than food products, cars, and refrigerators does not mandate any standards. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment introduced the Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standards Act in December 1999 to control pollution; these are similar to EURO 1 standards.
Standards
The Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) is the only agency authorized to develop technical standards for different products. NBSM is currently working on developing standards and labeling programs for electrical appliances. The Department of Drug Administration regulates the consumption and quantification of modern drugs for human use in Nepal.
Testing, inspection, and certification
Standards for testing the quality of food and the processes for testing food products are governed under the Food Act and Nepal Standard (Certification Mark) Act, which requires the importer to have a sample tested by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. The Department of Drug Administration approves the consumption and quantification of drugs for human use and issues licenses to import drugs to Nepal. The Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act of 1980 governs quantification of drugs for human use.
Except for drugs/medicines, no product certification is required for branded products. For drugs/medicines, the importer must obtain prior approval from the Department of Drug Administration. Certification is not required for patent drugs manufactured by recognized manufacturers in those cases where the Department of Drug Administration has already approved the drugs’ chemical composition. There are no accreditation bodies in Nepal. Accreditation of labs is not required.
Publication of technical regulations
Finalized acts and regulations issued by the Government of Nepal are published in the Nepal Gazette and are made available by the Department of Printing. U.S. entities can comment or challenge these regulations by email or notification to the appropriate department.
Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to notify the WTO of proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that could affect trade. Notify U.S. is a free, web-based e-mail registration service that captures and makes available for review and comment key information on draft regulations and conformity assessment procedures. Users receive customized email alerts when new notifications are added by selected countries and industry sector(s) of interest and can also request full texts of regulations. This service and its associated website are managed and operated by the USA WTO TBT Inquiry Point housed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Contact Information
Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM)
P.O. Box 985
Balaju, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4350818, 4350447, 4361141
Fax: 977 1 4350689
E-mail: nbsm@nbsm.gov.np; info@nbsm.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Bishwo Babu Pudasaini
Website: http://www.nbsm.gov.np/
Department of Drug Administration
Madan Bhandari Path-4, Bijulibazar
New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4780432, 4780227
Inspection Hotline: 977-1-2042383
Fax: +977-1-4780572
Email: director@dda.gov.np; dda@healthnet.org.np; import@dda.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Bharat Bhattarai
Website: www.dda.gov.np
Information Officer: Mr. Santosh K.C.
Email: info@dda.gov.np
Tel: (977) 1 4780227 (x231)
Department of Printing
Ministry of Information and Communications
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4211622, 4211820, 4211695, 4211749, 4200211
Fax: 977-1-4211764
Email: info@dop.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Dhurba Kumar Pokharel
Website: www.dop.gov.np
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4200353 / 54 / 56 / 58 / 59
Fax: 977-1-4200375
Email: info@moest.gov.np
Website: https://moe.gov.np/
Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC)
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
P.O. Box 21265, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4262369, 4262430
Fax: 977-1-4262337
Email: info@dftqc.gov.np;
Website: http://www.dftqc.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Upendra Ray
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
Agriculture and Livestock Business Promotion Division
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4211905, 4211950, 4211935
Fax: 977-1- 4211935
Website: https://www.moald.gov.np/department/agriculture-and-livestock-business-promotion-division
Joint Secretary: Mr. Prakash Kumar Sanjal
Email: info@moald.gov.np