General Standards
Standards organizations
Four institutions are responsible for the approval of technical standards, metrology and accreditation: the National Quality Council, the Bolivian Institute of Standardization and Quality (Instituto Boliviano de Normas y Calidad, IBNORCA), the Bolivian Institute of Metrology (Instituto Boliviano de Metrología, IBMETRO) and the Bolivian Accreditation Direction (Dirección Boliviana de Acreditación, DTA).
The National Certification and Standardization Organization (IBNORCA) is responsible for developing and performing technical standardization and the certification of products and quality systems. In addition, the agency represents Bolivia in international organizations: IBNORCA is a correspondent member of the International Organization for Standardization, a member of the International Electrotechnical Commission, a member of the Pan-American Standards Commission, the Mercosur Committee for Standardization and a member of the Andean Committee for Standardization of the Andean Group.
The Bolivian System of Standards, Metrology, Accreditation and Certification (NMAC System) establishes operational guidelines for standardization, metrology, accreditation, testing, certification and all aspects related to quality of products, processes, and services.
Conformity Assessment
The Bolivian Institute of Metrology (IBMETRO) supervises and maintains the national measurement standards, their compliance with the International System of Units, and the promulgation of accurate patterns. Other functions of the IBMETRO include:
- represent Bolivia at international activities;
- improve the technical competence and capabilities of institutions involved in conformity assessment implementation;
- carry out policies to support scientific and technological development;
- develope and strengthen a national system of metrology, in compliance with international practices.
Manufacturers, importers and service providers must demonstrate compliance with relevant technical regulations before selling products or services. Certificates of conformity can be issued by an accreditation body certified by the NMAC System. The manufacturer or importer must submit these certificates to the importer or distributor.
Product Certification
According to the NMAC system, all the products or services, which fall under a specific technical regulation, must meet its standards. This rule is applicable to locally produced goods as well as to imported products. If there are no specific national regulations for a product or service, goods must comply with the standards of the country of origin.
Accreditation
The Technical Directorate for Accreditation (Dirección Técnica de Acreditación, DTA) of IBMETRO is the principal accreditation body of Bolivia.
The National Institute of Health Laboratories (Instituto Nacional de Laboratorios de Salud - INLASA) in La Paz coordinates the quality assessment program for the Bolivian laboratory service network.
Contacts
Instituto Boliviano de Normalización y Calidad (IBNORCA)
The National Certification and Standardization Organization
Website: http://www.ibnorca.org
E-mail: info@ibnorca.org
Address: Calle 7 de Obrajes No. 545, Casi Esquina 14 de Septiembre, La Paz
Tel: 591-2-2783628
Dirección Técnica de Acreditación (DTA)
Technical Directorate for Accreditation
Address: Av. Camacho No. 1488 - Edificio Anexo, La Paz, Bolivia
Tel: 591 2 2372046
