BESPA-FOOD project builds Sri Lanka’s capacity for standards development

The European Union (EU)-funded Best Standardised Practices for the Agri-Food Sector (BESPA-FOOD) project, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as well as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), recently organised a seminar aimed at enhancing the standards development process in Sri Lanka. 

Themed ‘Public-Private Collaboration for Standards Evolution’, the seminar provided officials from the public sector institutions and private sector food and beverages industry with valuable insights into the global standards development process.

Aligned with the project’s goal of enhancing Sri Lanka’s National Quality and Standards ecosystem, the seminar equipped the Sri Lankan officials engaged in standards development to actively participate in international standards setting fora that are responsible for developing standards for the constantly evolving industry and reviewing the suitability of the existing ones. One of the focal points of the seminar was the importance of fostering public-private partnerships in standards development. 

EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Head of Cooperation Dr. Johann Hesse highlighted the significance of collaboration in modernising the food control system to meet the international standards.

Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) Director General Dr. Siddhika G. Senaratne, making the opening remakes at the seminar, emphasised the critical nature of collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing the evolving challenges within the agri-food sector.  

Prior to the seminar, the project conducted a three-day training programme for more than 60 officers of the SLSI on best practices in standards development, standardisation mechanism of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) standards and establishing and operating the National Mirror Committees (NMC).

UNIDO International Senior Specialist Dr. Jairo Villamil-Diaz underscored the crucial role of standards in today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, ensuring product quality, safety and interoperability. 

UNIDO National Food Safety Expert and a former SLSI Director General Sanath Mendis, elaborating on the ‘Quality and Standards Ecosystem’, reiterated the importance of establishing a national quality council, which is an imperative to economic development.