NS Mark for ceramic tiles being introduced for first time in country

KATHMANDU, MAY 6: In a significant stride towards bolstering quality assurance within the construction materials domain, the government is set to introduce the Nepal Standard (NS) Mark certification specifically for ceramic tiles. In close collaboration with diverse stakeholders, the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) has prepared a preliminary draft outlining this significant certification and is currently soliciting valuable feedback from pertinent agencies.

Upon the formal enactment of the proposed NS Mark, all ceramic tiles intended for both flooring and wall applications, irrespective of their origin, whether domestically produced or imported, and across all stages of sale and distribution, will be mandated to conform to stringent minimum quality prerequisites.

This initiative is also expected to empower numerous construction professionals with a clearer understanding of the precise standards applicable in specialised areas. For instance, floor tiles and wall tiles are engineered with distinct specifications meticulously tailored to their respective functional requirements.

Similarly, tiles destined for hospitals, residences, airports, and hotels will be required to meet the differentiated quality benchmarks aligned with the unique demands of each type of infrastructure.

The comprehensive proposed draft delineates detailed specifications encompassing the dimensional precision and inherent durability of tiles, alongside their critical physical, chemical, and performance-related attributes.

Furthermore, it addresses a spectrum of essential parameters, including tile length, width, thickness, water absorption rate, inherent strength or breaking resistance, resistance to scratching and chemical degradation, performance under thermal shock, resistance to staining from spills, surface leveling, and the certification process itself, among other crucial aspects.

“The ceramic tile sector within the nation has witnessed a period of remarkable expansion in recent years. Currently, there are eight prominent companies actively engaged in the manufacturing of these tiles, and this number continues on an upward trajectory,” states Anil Shakya, Director of the NBSM.

“Against this backdrop of growth, we are introducing a pivotal provision for certifying this vital construction product with the esteemed NS Mark. This strategic move is anticipated to streamline prevailing market practices, provide enhanced protection for consumers, and elevate Nepali manufacturing standards to align seamlessly with established international benchmarks.”

Once this crucial provision comes into full effect, all relevant manufacturing entities will be required to formally submit applications to the NBSM for rigorous certification. Subsequently, the dedicated inspection division will undertake a comprehensive assessment to determine whether their production processes consistently adhere to the meticulously prescribed quality benchmarks.

Those manufacturers demonstrably meeting these stringent standards will be duly granted the prestigious certification upon remittance of a nominal administrative fee. Moreover, to ensure sustained quality and compliance, these certifications will be subject to mandatory annual renewal, a process that will involve a thorough and updated round of testing conducted by the NBSM.

Successful completion of this renewed testing protocol will guarantee the continuation of the certification, while any failure to meet the required standards will result in the immediate suspension of the certification.

According to Director Shakya, to further fortify the guarantee of unwavering adherence to the established quality standards, the NBSM is formulating plans to conduct routine and unannounced monitoring visits to ceramic tile manufacturing facilities, where they will perform random and impartial quality control tests on the produced output.

Complementary to this, the representative samples will also be systematically collected from consumers across the supply chain to provide a holistic assessment of the cement quality as it reaches the end-user. Any instance of non-compliance with the clearly defined and established standards will be met with the decisive action of immediate certification revocation.

Director Shakya further clarifies that the opportunity to apply for and obtain the esteemed NS Mark certification is not exclusive to domestic manufacturers. Foreign-based ceramic tile companies are equally eligible to seek this certification, provided they unequivocally meet the same stringent and comprehensive quality standards mandated for their Nepali counterparts.

Subrat Dhital, the Chairman of Luminar Tiles, underscored the substantial advantages that the implementation of this quality certification for ceramic tiles will bestow upon consumers. “Within the current marketplace, consumers are confronted with a wide spectrum of product quality, ranging from substandard to premium. In this context, the introduction of this certification can be confidently expected to empower consumers to make informed decisions, readily distinguishing and selecting superior products over inferior alternatives.”

 Dhital further elaborated on the benefits for retailers, stating, “Retailers will gain clear and comprehensive information and understanding regarding the precise qualitative standards of the ceramic tiles they choose to stock and offer for sale. This enhanced knowledge will, in turn, significantly assist them in fulfilling the diverse needs and evolving aspirations of their valued customer base in the most optimal manner.”

Presently, Nepal's total annual sales volume for ceramic tiles stands at an impressive 1.7 billion square feet, with domestic Nepali companies contributing a significant 1.1 billion square feet, representing approximately 65 percent of the total market share. The remaining 600 million square feet, constituting roughly 35 percent of the market, is currently supplied by Indian companies.

According to Dhital, the Nepali manufacturers possess the inherent production capacity to not only fully satisfy the existing domestic demand but also to actively explore and potentially penetrate international markets.

"But, the persistent challenges posed by the absence of a comprehensive and universally recognised quality certification system have, up to this point, significantly inhibited the full realisation of this potential. All the same, with the anticipated implementation of the proposed NS Mark certification for these products, there are strong expectations that this untapped potential will be harnessed to a greater degree."

He also informs that the 8 domestic ceramic tile companies have a cumulative investment of around Rs 18 billion.  His company-Luminar Tiles, alone accounts for some Rs 4 billion of the total sum. 

Pramod Lamichhane, a central member of the Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal- FCAN, also echoes this view. “The widespread adoption of this robust quality certification system will ensure that consumers across the nation have consistent access to truly reliable,  safe, and durable ceramic tiles.

He added that this pivotal development can be safely expected to not only significantly boost domestic demand for Nepali-produced tiles but also to provide a crucial foundation for exporting these high-quality products to discerning foreign markets.”

In a similar vein, prominent industry experts collectively believe that the strategic introduction of the NS Mark certification specifically for ceramic tiles holds profound importance. "It will foster sustainable construction practices, substantially strengthen the nation's quality infrastructure, and enhance the overall competitiveness of Nepal’s industrial sector, particularly in the context of regional trade and emerging export opportunities."