General Standards
Standards organizations
The National Standards Body of Bhutan (BSB) is an autonomous organization responsible for the coordination and management of all standardization and related activities in Bhutan. BSB is also in charge of promoting standards and standardization activities.
Standardization and conformity assessment play a major role in developing technology and its application, helping to stimulate the economy, productivity and competitiveness. BSB’s mission is to promote and provide market relevant standards, metrology and internationally recognized conformity assessment services for industry, commerce, government and society.
The main functions of the National Standards Body of Bhutan are the following:
- develop national standards and facilitate their implementation
- establish and operate metrological referral and calibration laboratories
- establish and operate product testing infrastructure
- carry out/operate product and management system certification schemes
- permit, coordinate and facilitate accreditation of laboratories and certification bodies
- promote quality and standardization
- oversee the implementation of the regional and international trade agreement related to standards
and technical barriers to trade
- carry out such other mandate related to standardization and quality control including monitoring as may be assigned by the Royal government
The National Standards Body of Bhutan consists of four divisions:
- Standardization division
- Certification division
- Metrology and Laboratory services division
- National Accreditation Division
Packaging and labeling
Packaging
- Meat shall be packed in clean materials. The package shall be sealed tightly. If the packaging materials are made of plastic, they shall be complied with relevant requirements. All packaging materials shall be durable during transportation. The materials shall not be torn or broken when keeping in low temperature and shall prevent product from absorbing objectionable odours from environment.
- Packaged meat shall be labeled with appropriate details and kept in the cold storage.
Labeling
The following details should be included on the labels of food products:
Mandatory information:
- Name of the product
- Health stamp/inspection stamp
- Sell-by/use-by date
- Storage conditions
- Appropriate identification of packer, distributor or dispatcher
- Net weight in kg
Other product claims:
- Country (ies) of packing
- Country of origin
- Processing/packaging date
- Quality/grade/classification
- Language on label shall be in English/ Dzongkha
Official inspection or certification marks shall be complied with provisions and requirements of certification bodies recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest.
Contacts
The National Standards Body of Bhutan (BSB)
Website: http://www.bsb.gov.bt/
E-mail: ktshetrim@bsb.gov.bt
Address: Rijug Lam, 11001 Thimphu, Bhutan
Tel: +975 2 324105 / +975 2 325104
Fax: +975 2 323712 / +975 2 328298
