The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is the national standards body of Bangladesh, established under the Ministry of Industries. BSTI plays a crucial role in ensuring that products sold in Bangladesh meet minimum quality and safety standards. For skincare and cosmetic products, BSTI certification is one of the most important indicators of product safety.
What is BSTI?
BSTI was established in 1985 under the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Ordinance. Its primary functions include formulating national standards, testing products for quality and safety, and issuing certification marks to products that meet established standards. BSTI operates under the Ministry of Industries and has testing laboratories across Bangladesh.
Understanding the BSTI CM Mark
The BSTI Certification Mark (CM) is a symbol that indicates a product has been tested and meets the relevant Bangladesh Standards (BDS). When you see the BSTI CM mark on a product, it means:
- The product has been tested in BSTI laboratories or approved testing facilities
- The manufacturing facility has been inspected and approved
- The product meets the specific Bangladesh Standard applicable to its category
- The manufacturer has agreed to ongoing quality surveillance
The CM mark appears as a circular logo with "BSTI" written inside, often accompanied by a license number. This license number is crucial for verification.
How to Verify BSTI Certification
Step 1: Locate the CM Mark
Look for the BSTI CM mark on the product packaging. It should be clearly visible and include a license number.
Step 2: Check the License Number
Every BSTI-certified product has a unique CM license number. This number follows a specific format that includes the product category and sequential number.
Step 3: Verify Online or In Person
You can verify the authenticity of a BSTI certification through several methods:
- BSTI Website: Visit www.bsti.gov.bd and check their list of certified products and companies
- Phone Verification: Call the BSTI helpline to verify a specific license number
- Office Visit: Visit any BSTI office with the product for in-person verification
- TheSkinProof Checker: Use our product checker tool which cross-references BSTI databases
Step 4: Cross-Check the Manufacturer
Verify that the manufacturer listed on the product is indeed a BSTI-certified company. BSTI publishes lists of certified manufacturers that you can check against.
BSTI-Certified Cosmetic Companies in Bangladesh
Several reputable cosmetic manufacturers in Bangladesh hold BSTI certification, including:
- Kohinoor Chemical Company (Bangladesh) Ltd
- Keya Cosmetics Ltd
- Marico Bangladesh Ltd
- Unilever Bangladesh Ltd
- Square Toiletries Ltd
- Marks & Allys (BD) Ltd
When purchasing locally manufactured skincare products, prioritize those from these certified companies.
What BSTI Certification Does NOT Guarantee
While BSTI certification is important, it is essential to understand its limitations:
- It does not guarantee the product will work for your specific skin type
- It does not mean the product is the best in its category
- It only certifies that minimum safety standards are met at the time of testing
- Counterfeiters sometimes forge BSTI marks, so verification is still necessary
Common BSTI Standards for Cosmetics
BSTI has established specific standards for various cosmetic products:
- BDS 1370: Skin creams and lotions
- BDS 1328: Shampoos
- BDS 1376: Toothpastes
- BDS 1255: Toilet soaps
These standards specify limits for harmful substances like heavy metals, pH levels, and microbial content. Products that pass these tests receive the CM mark.
The Role of BSTI in Consumer Protection
BSTI conducts regular market surveillance to identify products that bear fake CM marks or products that no longer meet standards. They have the authority to withdraw certification from non-compliant products and take legal action against manufacturers who misuse the CM mark. As a consumer, you can report suspected fake CM marks to BSTI, and they will investigate.
Always look for the BSTI CM mark as your first line of defense when purchasing skincare products in Bangladesh. Combined with buying from authorized retailers and using tools like TheSkinProof's Product Checker, you can significantly reduce your risk of purchasing unsafe products.