"Standards and Metrology Board Approves and Updates 256 New and Revised Standards."
The Standards and Metrology Board Holds Its First Meeting of 2024 and Approves 256 New and Updated Standards
February 1, 2024
The first meeting of 2024 for the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Standards and Metrology Institution (PSMI) was held today, chaired by the Minister of National Economy, Khaled Al-Osaily, and attended by the Institution's Director General, Eng. Haider Haja.
During the meeting, several key topics were discussed, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the national industry and supporting its development in both local and international markets.
The Board approved 41 new Palestinian standards, and updated 44 standards in various sectors, including construction products, cosmetics, food products, textiles and garments, medical devices and supplies, metal materials, electrotechnical products, agricultural products and crops, petroleum derivatives, surfactants, paints and varnishes, plastics, furniture, and personal protective equipment.
Additionally, the Board ratified 44 previously reviewed standards, confirming their continued validity, and approved the cancellation of 18 standards as recommended by the technical committees, following five years since their adoption, in accordance with standard preparation procedures.
The Board also reviewed a report on the establishment of a Security Doors Testing Laboratory and a Heavy Weights Calibration Laboratory. Notably, there are more than 150 ground-based weighbridges distributed across the country, used by factories and companies for weighing goods during buying and selling transactions. Due to the high cost of calibrating these weighbridges, the Institution established a dedicated calibration lab to ensure accuracy and protect the rights of both buyers and sellers. The new service reduced calibration costs by up to 80%, resulting in significant savings for citizens and encouraging more businesses to verify their equipment.
In the same context, a specialized laboratory for mechanical testing of security doors was also established, in response to developments in the local industry of security and fire-resistant doors. This lab will serve both national manufacturers and importers, providing testing services at a 70% cost reduction. This initiative is expected to support local companies in obtaining conformity certificates for their door products, helping them meet domestic market needs and expand to international markets.
Moreover, the Board decided to form a technical committee comprising stakeholders involved in building construction to develop a proposal for a technical dossier to be prepared for every building nationwide. The committee will also define mechanisms for enforcing its implementation through the relevant authorities.
At the end of the session, the Board reviewed the cumulative report on the implementation of the 2023 operational plan and extended its appreciation to the Institution’s staff for their dedication and accomplishments.