Kathmandu, May 4
In a move to ensure quality and protecting
consumer interests, the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) has
prepared a draft of mandatory standards for ceramic tiles manufactured within
the country using the pressing method.
The draft was officially published on the
NBSM website on April 28 for public review, comments and suggestions. It outlines
the essential characteristics that all first-quality (premium quality) pressed
ceramic tiles for both floors and walls must meet.
The NBSM will accept the suggestions and
critics on the draft for two months and will prepare the final draft including
them. Then, the draft would be submitted to the Nepal Council for Standards
(NCM), the governing body of the standards sector which is chaired by the
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
According to Anil Shakya, Director of the
NBSM, it will go into implementation after the NCM's approval.
As per the proposed new regulations, 'first
quality' tiles should be largely free from any surface or dimensional flaws
that could negatively impact their appearance or how well they function. This
means consumers can expect tiles to have a consistent look and size, making
installation easier and the final result more aesthetically pleasing.
The standards address several fundamental
aspects of tile quality. They specify acceptable sizes and dimensional
tolerances. This ensures that tiles are uniform, reducing issues during
installation such as uneven gaps or alignment problems.
Likewise, the regulations maintain that the
visible face of the tile should be free from significant defects. Consumers can
expect tiles to have a smooth or consistently textured surface, without
unwanted blemishes or inconsistencies that could detract from the overall look
of their walls or floors.
Furthermore, the new standards include
mechanical requirements, which relate to the strength and durability of the
tiles. According to experts, this is particularly important for floor tiles
that need to endure foot traffic and furniture weight.
The proposed standards have also included
the covering aspects such as water absorption. Tiles with low water absorption
are generally more durable and less prone to damage in damp environments like
bathrooms and kitchens.
Similarly, the standards have also set
chemical requirements which ensure that the tiles are resistant to staining and
damage from common household chemicals. This is crucial for maintaining the
appearance of tiled surfaces over time, especially in areas prone to spills.
According to NBSM and tiles manufacturers,
the new standards aim at elevating the overall quality of ceramic tiles
available to Nepali consumers. By setting clear benchmarks, the NBSM intends to
reduce the prevalence of substandard products in the market.
These standards are also expected to
encourage local manufacturers to adhere to better production practices,
fostering a more competitive and reliable domestic tile industry.
These new standards apply specifically to
ceramic tiles manufactured using the pressing method and are designated as 'first
quality' or 'premium quality' while tiles produced through other methods, such
as extrusion, are not covered by them.
Likewise, the designation of tiles will
also include details about whether they are glazed (GL) or unglazed (UGL), the
nature of their finish (Polished - P, Semi-polished - SP, or Unpolished - UP),
and the edge finish (Rectified - R or Un-rectified - UR), along with their size
classification.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 May 2025.
No comments:
Post a Comment