The Boiler Act 2022 is the current statute. It replaced the Boilers Act 1923 and is administered by the Office of the Chief Inspector of Boilers under the Ministry of Industries. The Act, together with rules and regulations made under it, covers registration, inspection, certificates authorising use, repairs, transfers, attendant qualifications, accidents and penalties. Procedures, forms and fees are set by subordinate instruments and practice, which can change. We check the current requirements with the Chief Inspector's office for each application and advise on how they apply to the specific boiler and site.

Generally, no. A boiler should not be used until it has been registered and a valid certificate authorising its use has been issued, except as permitted for inspection and testing under the Act. Operating without a valid certificate can lead to penalties, prosecution, closure orders and serious problems with insurance, buyers and lenders. If commissioning is urgent, plan the inspection and paperwork early rather than regularise later. We help clients build boiler registration into the project timetable from the start of construction. Allow for the inspector's availability before promising a commissioning date to buyers.

A certificate to use is issued for a limited period stated in the certificate, after which the boiler must be inspected again before the certificate is renewed. The period can depend on the boiler, its condition and the inspector's assessment, and it may be shortened where defects are found. Missing an expiry date means the boiler is operating unlawfully. We help factories with several boilers set up a simple register of expiry dates, inspection bookings and responsible staff, so that renewals are applied for in good time. Late applications create avoidable risk.

Inspectors usually expect the manufacturer's drawings and design calculations, material and test certificates, a certificate of manufacture and hydraulic test, details of mountings and fittings, and evidence of compliance with a recognised design code. For used boilers, inspection history and records of repairs are also important. The exact list depends on current rules and practice. Importers should obtain these documents before shipment, because gaps are hard to fill later. We review the document set, liaise with the supplier and prepare the application file. Ask the supplier early for original test certificates, since later requests often go unanswered.

The boiler stays registered, but the owner shown in the records and the certificate holder may need updating, and the buyer must make sure certificates are current and any repairs were approved. In an asset sale, the transfer of the boiler should be dealt with expressly in the sale documents and notified as required. In a share sale, the company remains the owner, but diligence is still essential. We review boiler status during due diligence and draft contract terms that make the seller responsible for regularising any gaps before completion.

The Boiler Act 2022 applies across Bangladesh, but the way applications are submitted and coordinated can differ. Following the Invest Bangladesh Act 2026, facilitation services previously provided by BEZA and BIDA are now delivered through Invest Bangladesh, which has operated since 23 August 2026. Factories in export processing zones operate under BEPZA, which remains separate and has its own service arrangements. We check which channel applies to a particular site and make sure applications for boiler registration and renewal follow the right route. The channel also determines which fees and forms accompany the application.

Boilers must be operated by attendants holding the appropriate certificate of competency for the type and size of boiler, as required under the Act and its rules. Employers should keep copies of attendants' certificates, maintain shift rosters showing that qualified staff are present, and provide training on safety procedures. Using unqualified operators is a common finding in inspections and accident investigations. We advise on staffing compliance, contracts with outsourced operators and the employer's responsibilities under both boiler law and the Labour Act 2006. Refresher training and drill records show inspectors that competence is maintained.

Protect people first: stop operations, secure the area, arrange medical care and notify emergency services. Then comply with legal reporting duties to the boiler authorities and other agencies, preserve evidence including logbooks and maintenance records, and avoid altering the plant until investigators allow it. Give written notice to insurers within the period their policy requires, and keep copies of what was reported and when. Statements to the media and officials should be accurate and coordinated. We provide urgent legal support on reporting, cooperation with investigators, employee compensation, criminal exposure and the steps needed to resume operations lawfully.