Describes the country's standards landscape, identifies the national standards and accreditation bodies, and lists the main national testing organization(s) and conformity assessment bodies.
Last Published: 8/2/2019

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 then-Ministry of Population and Environment, now 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 any 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 GON 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.
Contact Information
Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) P.O. Box 985, Balaju, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4350818, 4350445, 4361141
Fax: 977 1 4350689
E-mail: tbtnbsm@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
Website: www.dda.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Narayan Prasad Dhakal
Email: narayandhakalji@gmail.com; narayandhakalji@yahoo.com

Drug Administrator & Information Officer: Mr. Santosh K.C.
Email: info@dda.gov.np
Tel: (977) 1 4780227 (x231)  
Senior Pharmacist: Ms. Vijaya Laxmi Shrestha
Email Pharmacy Reg. Section: pharmacy@dda.gov.np

Department of Printing
Ministry of Information and Communications
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel:977-1-4211622, 4211820, 4211695, 4211749
Fax No: 977-1-4211764
Email:  info@dop.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Balbhadra Giri
Website: www.dop.gov.np

Ministry of Science and Technology
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4211641, 4211586, 4211737, 4211869, 4211996, 4211661
Facsimile: 977-1-4211954
Email: info@moste.gov.np
Website: http://www.moste.gov.np/

Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC)
Ministry of Agriculture Development
P.O. Box 21265, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4262369, 4262741, 4251132; Ext: 202, 211
Facsimile:  977-1-4262337
Email: info@dftqc.gov.np; spsnepal@ntc.net.np; dftqc@mail.com.np
Website: http://www.dftqc.gov.np
Director General: Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Karn

Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Co-operatives
Agribusiness Promotion and Statistics Division
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4211687, 4211706, 4211950, 4211981; Ext.: 219
Fax: 977-1- 4211935, 4211839
Email: mailto:parajuli_dinesh@moadwto.gov.np
Joint Secretary: Dr. Dinesh Prasad Parajuli

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