Bangladesh observes the 57th World Standards Day on Wednesday, highlighting the role of standards in expanding access to affordable, clean energy and ensuring its efficient use.
This year’s theme, “Shared vision for a better world – Affordable and Clean Energy”, focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 7, which calls for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy, reads a press release.
The theme is particularly significant for Bangladesh, where meeting energy needs requires both increased generation and efficient use of every unit of energy produced.
As the national standards body, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has developed 4,631 Bangladesh Standards, including 79 for solar panels, inverters, charge controllers and batteries to ensure the durability and performance of solar power systems.
BSTI regularly updates these standards for solar equipment in line with international benchmarks.
BSTI’s solar panel testing laboratory at its headquarters is equipped with a German-technology sun simulator capable of testing panels rated at up to 1,000 watts. The laboratory uses calibrated equipment and follows international guidelines to assess panel performance and quality.
To mark the day, BSTI will hold a discussion at the Officers’ Club in Dhaka at 10:50am on Wednesday.
Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, MP, minister for industries, commerce, and textiles and jute, will attend the event as the chief guest.
Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan and Prof S M Abdul-Awal, chief coordinator for SDG affairs at the prime minister’s office, will attend as special guests.
Md Fazlul Haque, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), will deliver the keynote address.
BSTI Director General Kazi Emdadul Hoque, who holds the rank of secretary, will chair the event.
The observance will also include discussions and awareness activities at BSTI’s headquarters and its divisional and regional offices.
Special programmes will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, while awareness messages will be sent via mobile phones through the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
Banners, festoons and placards have been displayed at key locations across the capital.
World Standards Day raises awareness of the importance of standards in products and services annually on 14 October.
The theme is jointly set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
