Bahrain Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro chaired the 40th National Committee for Standardisation and Metrology in the presence of committee representatives of public and private sectors and a number of experts.

They discussed important issues in the standardisation field and its activities.

The committee approved 583 Gulf standards in various industrial and service sectors, including chemistry, mechanics, electricity, food, construction and oil and gas.

The move came after technical committees conducted studies to ensure their suitability for Bahrain and compatibility with international standards so as to facilitate flow of goods to and from the kingdom.

The committee also gave the nod to adopt 19 technical Gulf regulations covering food products, vehicles and tyres, noting that the World Trade Organisation has been notified of these regulations.

The committee was also briefed on the development of application control procedures on children's toys. They require toy traders and importers to install Gulf Corresponding Badge on imported toys, starting from July.

They also discussed developments in construction and building materials field.

They stressed the need for co-ordination between Standardisation and Metrology Directorate and Directorate of Engineering Materials of the Ministry of Works in notifying WTO of mandatory technical requirements to be met in cement production.-TradeArabia News Service