CNI donates lab equipment to restore quality testing of footwear and garments

Kathmandu: The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has handed over essential laboratory instruments and equipment worth around Rs 2 million to the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology to help restore its testing capacity. The support comes after the bureau’s laboratory sustained significant damage during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9, when incidents of arson and vandalism destroyed key equipment used for testing the quality of footwear and garment products, disrupting certification services for related industries.

With the new equipment in place, both the bureau and domestic footwear and garment manufacturers are expected to benefit from smoother and more reliable quality testing services. The handover took place on Tuesday, 10 February, at a programme organized at the bureau’s premises.

Speaking at the event, CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey stressed that quality certification is crucial for promoting domestic production and marketing. He said the equipment was provided to facilitate the certification process and support private sector entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses. Pandey also pledged continued cooperation from CNI in similar initiatives and expressed gratitude to the bureau and its Director General for accepting the support.

Director General Kumari Jyoti Joshi Bhatt said the damage caused during the protests had severely affected the bureau’s ability to test domestic products. In the absence of in-house laboratory facilities, samples had to be sent to neighboring countries, increasing both testing costs and turnaround time. This, she noted, ultimately raises overall production costs and weakens the competitive edge of Nepali products.

She thanked CNI for its timely support, saying the initiative would make quality testing for footwear and garments more accessible and would further strengthen collaboration between the government and the private sector. The event was also attended by Suraj Banjade, President of the Footwear Manufacturers Association, along with officials from CNI and the bureau.