NBR allows ISO-accredited private labs for import chemical testing

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued new guidelines allowing ISO-accredited private laboratories to conduct chemical testing of imported goods, aiming to expedite customs clearance and facilitate trade.

According to an office order signed by NBR Second Secretary (Customs Policy) Rezaul Karim, the initiative has been taken to verify the accuracy of product declarations under the customs risk management system while ensuring public safety, public health, environmental protection and intellectual property security.

At present, chemical testing of imported products is mainly carried out by customs laboratories and designated government, semi-government and autonomous institution laboratories.

However, capacity constraints in these facilities often delay test results, leading to slower release of imported consignments.

To improve ease of doing business and speed up customs procedures, the NBR has decided that representative samples of imported goods may also be sent to private laboratories accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Customs authorities will be able to complete duty assessments based on reports issued by these accredited laboratories.

The order stipulates that private laboratories must follow testing methods recognised by the Bangladesh Accreditation Board.

However, the new provision will not apply to products for which the Import Policy Order has already designated specific authorities or laboratories for testing.

In such cases, samples must continue to be sent to the authorities specified in the policy order.

The NBR said the directive was issued under its statutory authority and came into effect immediately.