Check whether the product appears on the current list of products for which certification is mandatory, which is set and amended by government notification. The list covers many food items, cosmetics and toiletries, electrical goods, construction materials and chemicals, among others. Matching depends on product description and sometimes HS code, and borderline products can be difficult to classify. We review the product, its composition and intended use against the latest list and standards, and give a clear written view on whether BSTI certification, import clearance or another approval is required.

A certification marks licence authorises a manufacturer to use the BSTI standard mark on a product that meets the relevant Bangladesh Standard. Local manufacturers of products on the mandatory list need a CM licence before producing and selling those products, and some businesses obtain licences voluntarily for products outside the list. The licence is product-specific and linked to the factory where the product is made. We prepare applications, coordinate inspections and testing, and advise on keeping the licence valid through surveillance and renewal. Each BSTI certification licence should be tracked.

Generally, goods subject to mandatory BSTI certification are not released for sale until clearance is obtained, although procedures for sampling, testing and release can vary by product and port and may change over time. Delays can be costly, so preparation before shipment is essential. In appropriate cases, there may be scope to discuss interim arrangements with customs and BSTI, such as storage under bond. We advise importers on current procedures and on practical steps to reduce delay, including providing complete documents and accredited test reports with the shipment. Port storage costs add up quickly.

First, obtain the test report and details of how the sample was taken, stored and tested. Check whether the correct standard and method were applied and whether the sample was representative of the batch. Depending on the rules and the stage of the process, it may be possible to request retesting or present evidence from accredited laboratories. Commercially, consider whether the batch can be corrected, relabelled or re-exported. We review the technical and legal position quickly and prepare submissions to BSTI or customs to protect the consignment and the licence.

CM licences are granted for a stated period and must be renewed before expiry, subject to continued compliance, surveillance and payment of fees. The validity period and renewal procedures are set by the applicable rules and may change, so the current terms should be checked when a licence is granted or renewed. Producing or selling a mandatory product after a licence has expired can lead to enforcement action. We help manufacturers maintain a register of licences and renewal dates across products and factories, and prepare renewal applications in good time.

Manufacturing, importing or selling a mandatory product without valid BSTI certification, misusing the BSTI mark or failing labelling and weights and measures requirements can lead to fines, imprisonment in serious cases, seizure and destruction of goods, and suspension or cancellation of licences under the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Act 2018 and related laws. Mobile courts frequently impose penalties on the spot. We advise on exposure, represent businesses before mobile courts and authorities, and challenge orders that were made without proper legal basis or procedure.

Foreign manufacturers do not usually hold a Bangladesh CM licence themselves unless they manufacture locally. Instead, the importer obtains clearance for each consignment or follows the applicable process for imported mandatory products. Foreign test reports and certificates can help but may not replace BSTI testing. Labels must meet Bangladesh requirements, including importer details. We advise foreign brands and their importers on how to structure supply so that documents, labels and test evidence are ready before goods leave the factory. BSTI certification planning should begin before production. Supplier cooperation is important at every stage.

No. BSTI certification is one requirement among several. Food businesses may also need registration or approval under food safety law administered by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, while medicines, some cosmetics and medical devices fall under drug regulation. Electrical and telecom equipment may need other approvals. Each regime has its own process and timing. We map all the approvals needed for a product, identify overlaps and sequence applications so that the product can be lawfully imported, manufactured and sold without gaps. Missing one approval can delay the whole launch.