The South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) approved its 2026 action plan and endorsed key decisions on international partnerships and technical cooperation at its 11th Governing Board meeting in Dhaka.
The two-day meeting, held on 3–4 June at the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) headquarters, reviewed SARSO’s performance in 2025 and approved the report of its Technical Management Board.
The meeting was chaired by SARSO Chairperson and BSTI Director General (Secretary) Kazi Emdadul Hoque. Delegates from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives participated both physically and virtually.
The board also approved initiatives related to memorandums of understanding with international organisations and the formation of new sectoral technical committees aimed at strengthening regional standards cooperation.
In his closing remarks, Kazi Emdadul Hoque urged member states to work collectively to remove technical barriers to trade and harmonise quality standards across South Asia.
SARSO serves as the regional standards body for South Asian countries, promoting harmonisation of standards and conformity assessment practices to facilitate trade and enhance product quality across the region.
