Sri Lanka Standards Institution

Timeline

1993

 The SLS Mark was declared compulsory for twelve (12) items under the Consumer Protection ACT, No. 1 of 1979
A further 32 items were brought under Import Inspection Scheme Totaling the number of items covered to 56
Four applications received from the industry for ISO 9000 certification

1992

A branch Office was established at Kurunegala, to assist the industries in the region to improve the quality of their products and services
The new Laboratory complex of the SLSI commenced operations where 03 units shifted to the new premises
A Building Consultant was appointed to work on the Stage II of the Building project Technical assistance was provided to small and medium scale industries to upgrade their products under the Industrial Development Project (III) funded by the World Bank
A further 12 items were brought under the Import Inspection Scheme totaling the products covered to 24 items
The ‘Rules and Procedures” for implementing the System Certification Scheme as per ISO 9000 Standards were initiated and action taken to train Provisional Assessors under the Registration Scheme for assessors of quality systems operated by the IQA of UK

1991

A preliminary industrial survey conducted to assist industries under World Bank Assistance Programme
Imports of twelve items monitored under the Import Inspector Scheme
Under the UNDP Project, assistance obtained to develop laborer i accreditation and metrology activities

1990

Inclusion of protective helmets for vehicle users and brown sugar info the list of items brought under the Import Inspection Scheme
Inauguration of a Diploma Course in Quality Management

1988

SLSI being the National Registration Centre for QC Circles, registered the first two circle
Presentation of awards to the winner of the Inter-school Handboox competition at BMICH
National level Quiz Programme titled “Obai Pramithiyai” broadcast to educate school children on standardization, quality control arc consumerism
Participation of three officers from industry in the People’s Republic of China in a training programme on Standardization and Quality Control sponsored by the World Bank

1986

Import Inspection Scheme implemented to ensure the quality of imported products introduced into the market under the liberalized import policies. The items covered are canned fish, condensed milk, fruit cordials/concentrates/ready to serve drinks, switches, socket outlets and plugs, lampholders, electric bulbs, hotplates
Quality inspection of fertilizer imports commenced at the request of the National Fertilizer Secretariat

1985

Inter-school quiz competition held with a view to popularizing the concept of Certification Marking
Launching of the Accreditation Scheme for Testing Laboratories (ASTEL) to certify the competence of testing laboratories. Initially, financial and secretarial support provided by SLSI

1984

BCS Act. No.38 of 1964 repealed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) Act No. 6 of 1984 to widen the scope of activities and powers of the Institution
Acceptance of the Textile Testing Unit of the laboratory as an approved testing laboratory by the International Wool Secretariat (IWS)
Production of TV documentary highlighting the importance of the Certification Mark (SLS) and given wide coverage through the TV Media
Implementation of a major consultancy project with the assistance of the World Bank, for the rehabilitation and development of the tea industry in Sri Lanka
Proclamation and organization of a National Quality Week to be observed during the third week of August every year as an on-going programme to create a National Awareness of Quality. To coincide with the event a “Q Flag” introduced
Coffee beans brought under the Pre-export Inspection Scheme

1983

First workshop on Quality Control in Shrimp Processing held with the assistance of INFOFISH, the Regional-body of Fish Processing Quality Control in South East Asia
Workshop on organoleptic assessment of quality of seafood conducted in collaboration with the US Food & Drug Administration
First consultancy assignment on quality improvement undertaken by BCS
Training programme on Quality Control for Industry held under sponsorship on UNIDO/SIDA and Alirati Training Centre of Sweden

1982

Introduction of the first stage of Pre-shipment Inspection of cinnamon quills and registration of cinnamon dealers as a pre requisite to export of cinnamon
Establishment of a new unit for marine products and projects to strengthen the Pre-shipment Inspection Scheme
First public seminar to create an awareness on consumer protection
Inclusion of Standardization and Quality control as a component in the national educational curriculum in the field of Commerce
UNDP/UNIDO project on development of Standardization and Quality Control inaugurated
Development of separate sections for Electrical testing, Textile testing and Microbiological testing within the Laboratory Division
BCS hosted a ISO/TC 157 meeting on Mechanical contraceptives in Colombo

1981

Appointment of the Bureau laboratory of BCS by M/s Underwriter Laboratories of the USA as their accredited testing and inspection agency in Sri Lanka for the use of the UL mark
Setting up of a Maintenance unit for the repair and maintenance of instruments in the Laboratory
BCS hosted the Regional Seminar on Standardization and Quality Control sponsored by ISO
Publication of “Paribhogika Puwath” the journal on consumer education
BCS launched a National Quality Promotional Campaign under the guidance of two quality experts from Japan, deputed by the Asian Productivity Organization
Setting up of the Education and Training Unit and move to new premises at Vidya Mandiraya, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7
Workshop on consumer education conducted for senior educationists of the Department of Education

1980

Establishment of the Printing Unit to cater to the printing needs of the Bureau, and publicity activity brought under this unit
Library become the National member of the ISO/NET, a decentralized network of information centres of National Standards Bodies
Regulations governing the Standardization Marks Scheme repealed and replaced by the regulations governing the Certification Marks Scheme. BCS launched the Certification Marks Scheme and under this scheme 20 permits issued authorizing the manufacturers of these items to display the SLS Mark
Logo of Certification Mark selected after an island wide competition
A five year Corporate Plan designed and adopted covering the entire spectrum of organizational activities, and devising strategies and targets to achieve the objectives of the Bureau
Commencement of the compulsory Pre-export Inspection of cashew kernels under the Sri Lanka Agricultural Inspection Act
Establishment of a separate Division in the Bureau to prepare Standards related to such disciplines as Civil, Mechanical Electrical and Electronics Engineering

1979

BCS had the privilege of welcoming the then ISO Secretary General, Mr Olle Sturen

1978

BCS hosted for the first time, two committee meetings of ISO/TC 34 on Spices and condiments (SC7) and on Tea (SC 8) in Colombo

1977

Bureau participated in ISO/TC 45 meeting on Rubber and Rubber Products held in Czechoslovakia
Sri Lanka represented at ISO Information Network (ISONET) Symposium

1976

Sesame brought under compulsory Pre-export Inspection Scheme
The Laboratory Services Division of the Bureau moved to a more spacious venue at Wellawatte, with the expansion of its activities

1975

Registration of the three processing establishments of prawns and lobsters under the scheme of Pre-export Inspection of marine products
First workshop in grading of cocoa beans and cardamoms

1974

Launching of the Pre-export Inspection Scheme where standards for several commodities were enforced mandatory under this scheme. The commodities inspected were cocoa beans, whole black pepper, nutmeg and mace, cardamoms and cloves. BCS recognized as the Central Certifying Authority to operate this Scheme
Registration of Establishments for processing of marine products under the Pre-export Inspection Scheme
BCS hosted Dr N M Chopra, Director of Technical Co-ordination of ISO Central Secretariat. The purpose of his visit was to discuss the role of standardization in developing countries. His visit resulted in the Council of BCS deciding to actively pursue the adoption of ISO standards and other national standards wherever possible
The Laboratory Services Division of the Bureau moved to a more spacious venue at Wellawatte, with the expansion of its activities
A seminar on Quality Control in relation to minor agricultural crops and food items held at the Bandraranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)
BCS represented at the meeting of the sub committee on stimulant food ISO/TC 34 (SC/5) spices and condiments held in New Delhi, India
Council of the Bureau recommended to the Minister of Industries and Scientific Affairs that the name of the BCS be changed to Sri Lanka Standards Institution with a view to streamlining the activities of Bureau
First programme on Industrial Standardization and Quality Control at Technician Level

1973

BCS embarked on training by holding the first training programme on Industrial Standardization and Quality Control for personnel at middle management level. Topics relating to quality, standardization and statistical methods discussed with twenty one participants from the industry

1972

BCS shared the pride of presenting the report of the National Metrication Board, when the Board presented its report on Metrication in Sri Lanka to the then Minister of industries and Scientific Affairs. The report was prepared and finalized by BCS
BCS participated in ISO/TC126 meeting on Tobacco products held in Paris

1971

Regulations governing the Standardization Marks Scheme were framed and gazetted. Standards were made compulsory for Safety Razor Blades and Asbestos Cement Sheets

1970

BCS moved into a more spacious premises at No. 53, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7
Publication of the “Standards News” the official organ of BCS, to coincide with World Standards Day, which was concurrently celebrated by ISO and the BCS for the first time
BCS participated in the activities of ISO as a participating member in two Technical Committees and as an observer member in ten Technical Committees
The testing necessary for the formulation of standards done at the Government Analyst’s Department, City Analyst’s Laboratory and the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISIR)
Subsequently the establishment of a Laboratory at BCS with the objective of providing the necessary test data for the development of National Standards.
Testing of Food and Chemical products and Materials, the major activity at this time in the laboratory located at Vauxhall Street, Colombo
Cabinet of Ministers issued a directive for setting up a National Metrication Board for the transition to the Metric System on the recommendation of the Metrication Report prepared by the Bureau

1966

Recruitment of Messrs G M S de Silva and Douglas Pandita as the first Standards Officers to undertake work on standards formulation.
Establishment of the Library with an embryonic Collection of Indian and other miscellaneous standards acquired from the then ministry of industries and fisheries, at the Bureau premises at Vajira Road, Colombo. The primary role of the Library was to render a supporting service to the formulation of standards.
 Supplementation of the existing collection by a complete set of British Standards donated by the British High Commission
Secondment of Dr. R C De Silva from the Ministry of Industries to serve in BCS with the main objective of organizing its work

1965

Commencement of the operations of the National Standards Body. The Members of the first Council were Mr B D Rampala (Chairman) and Mr R G de S Wettimuni (Director) with Mr Harischandra Wijayatunge as the first and the only member appointed to the staff, functioning as its Secretary. The first Council Meeting was held at the Ministry of industries with the then Hon. Minister of Industries presiding. During this time the Bureau operated from its office at the premises of the Ceylon Piywoods Corporation
Appointment of the Divisional Committees on Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Agriculture and Chemicals, and Metrication

1964

Establishment of the Bureau of Ceylon Standards (BCS) by an Act of Parliament to function as the National Standards Body, and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto

History

History

Timeline

1993

1992

1991

1990

1988

1986

1985

1984

1983

1982

1981

1980

1979

1978

1977

1976

1975

1974

1973

1972

1971

1970

1966

1965

1964

+94 112 671 567-72 slsi@slsi.lk