New NBSM standards for imported cement lead to Nepal shortage

Construction of hydropower projects has stalled due to the cement shortage in Nepal. Imports have been halted as the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) has set new standards for imported cement.

The NBSM made Nepal Standard certification mandatory for imported cement from mid-July. Foreign manufacturers supplying cement to Nepal have to follow quality, packaging and labelling criteria fixed by NBSM.

Producers from India, which are the main source of cement imports into Nepal, now require approval to supply cement and are also reluctant to set up new packaging plants to comply with the new MBSM rules. However, Jaypee Cement and Star Cement have received approval with three further producers having submitted applications.

The previous system saw NBSM carrying out sample checks at the customs point. 

India is the main source country for cement import, however, with the new rules, Indian manufacturers need to take approval from NBSM to supply cement.