Lab test of samples of different cement brands randomly taken from market by a joint monitoring team led by NBSM showed cement manufacturers were not adhering to the standard.
Representatives of Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) and different consumer rights associations were in the monitoring team.
According to NBSM officials, these brands had complied with the standard while applying for Nepal Standard (NS) certification.[break]
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, NBSM said nine out of 16 samples taken form the market do not meet the standard. Lab tests concluded that majority of the samples had higher amount of insoluble residue (IR). The IR limit in OPC cement and PPC cement is two percent and 28 percent respectively, according to NBSM.
According to officials, high presence of insoluble residue decreases bonding capacity of cement.
“Lab test of samples shows most of the cement manufacturers in Nepal do not comply with the standard set by the NBSM,” BB Pudasaini, deputy director general of NBSM, told Republica. “We are waiting for the result of 28-day Compressive Strength Test (CST) of all the samples. Once the result is out, we will take action against them.”
Lab test showed samples of Maruti OPC cement, Reliance PPC cement, Hama-Tech PPC cement, Buland Siddhartha PPC Cement and Vinayak PPC Cement had insoluble residue higher than the allowed limit.
Similarly, Jagadamba PSC Cement, Nirman OPC and PPC cement and Advance PPC cement have already failed the Compressive Strength Test which measures bonding capacity of cement.
Likewise, lab tests showed Reliance PPC, Buland Suddhartha OPC, Shivam OPC, Bhawani PPC, Shakti OPC, Angi PPC and Ultra OPC were adhering to the standard.
“We will soon seek clarification with manufacturers of cement brands that have been found flouting the standard,” Pudasaini said. “We will stop production of these brands unless the manufacturers express commitment to adhere to the standard.”
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