Product certification, which is popularly known as the "SLS Mark Scheme", is a scheme that gives a third party guarantee on quality of a product. This scheme enables the SLSI to grant permits to local as well as overseas manufacturers producing goods conforming to Sri Lanka Standards to mark the "SLS" mark on their products. Sri Lanka Standards Institution Act No.6 of 1984, and the regulations made there under empower the Sri Lanka Standards Institution to issue such permits to manufacturers.

The Product Certification Scheme is essentially voluntary in nature. However, certification of 20 products locally manufactured or produced have been mandated through the Directions issued by the Commissioner of Internal Trade under the Consumer Protection Act No. 1 of 1979. (The Consumer Protection Act has been repealed by the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003. However this regulation remains unchanged.)

The Certification Mark on a commodity or product signifies that the commodity or product is consistently manufactured in accordance with the relevant Sri Lanka Standard Specification and could be be purchased with a reasonable assurance of quality. Compliance with the requirements of the specification is assured through regular monitoring of the quality assurance system and audits carried out by qualified Auditors of the Institution.

The general policy of the Institution is to administer the Certification Marks Scheme in such a manner that the responsibility of compliance with the relevant standard lies with the manufacturer. To secure this, a suitable quality assurance system consistent with the guidelines prescribed by the Institution should be adopted by each permit holder. He is responsible for the documentation and the implementation of the quality system and the continued effectiveness of the quality system will be verified by the qualified officers of the Institution at regular intervals.

Benifits of SLSI Mark

SLS mark is a major marketing tool for the promotion of sales.
To differentiate products having the SLS mark from other products
Enhance competitiveness.
Definite advantage over manufacturing establishments who does not have SLS mark
Reduce customer complaints
State sector will look for SLS marked products, thereby increase the market share
Image of the company will be improved. Thereby improving the morale of workers.
Productivity improvement.
Since the standard incorporate customer and legal requirements, products will be more acceptable
Customer-Manufacturer-SLSI relationships enhance continuously.
Foundation to obtain Overseas Certification Marks
Foundation to obtain Overseas Product Certification Marks such as BS, ISI etc. and SLSI is in a position to grant these marks.

back

Scope of the Permit

Separate permits should be obtained for commodities or products falling within the same standard specification but marketed under different brand names. If the same commodity or product bearing the same brand name is made at more than one plant, separate permits should be obtained simultaneously for each and every plant. A permit will not be issued unless all plants manufacturing the same commodity or product under the same brand name comply with the requirements of the permit.

How to apply a Permit

A manufacturer desirous of obtaining a permit to use the Certification Mark on a commodity or product must first ascertain whether a Sri Lanka Standard Specification has been approved and published by the Institution for the product/commodity concerned.

Applications shall be submitted on the prescribed form and separate applications shall be made for each commodity or product covered by a particular standard.

(Application forms are issued by the Quality Assurance Division for a nominal fee of LKR 100.00+ 20% VAT ).

If the commodity or product bearing the same brand name is produced at more than one plant of the applicant, separate applications must be submitted simultaneously in respect of each and every plant manufacturing that commodity or product under the same brand name.

Application Processing fee : LKR 1000.00 + 15% VAT

For further details Contact

Assessments and Inspections before granting of the permit

On receipt of an application the Institution will assess the adequacy of manufacturer's arrangements for quality assurance based on information provided in the application.

An inspection of the factory is arranged to examine and verify the quality management system adopted by the applicant. Specific attention will be paid to the availability of testing facilities during this visit.

The applicant should give every assistance to the inspectors of the Institution to collect samples from the factory as may be required for testing. The cost of inspection, cost of samples and testing fees shall be borne by the applicants.

If the product conforms to the requirements of the standard (verified by checking conformity of two consecutive samples)

and the quality system is found to be satisfactory, a final inspection will be carried out by a panel to ascertain compliance to criteria for certification.

back

Annual Fee

After granting a permit to use the SLS Mark, an annual fee will be charged based on total sales value of the product. The annual fee is payable in quarterly installments. Click here for more details

back

Issue of permit

A permit to use the Certification Mark is issued, to the manufacturer by the Director General of the Institution or the authorized officer on behalf of the Institution when the following conditions are fulfilled.
Two consecutive samples drawn with a minimum gap of 30 days or 30 batches as the case may be and tested are found to be conforming to the relevant Sri Lanka Standard;
A satisfactory quality management system is implemented; and

The general and specific permit conditions and conditions for payment of the annual fee are accepted by the manufacturer.
Once the license had been granted, the manufacturer shall display the SLS symbol on the product.

back

Assessments and Inspections before granting of the permit

On receipt of an application the Institution will assess the adequacy of manufacturer's arrangements for quality assurance based on information provided in the application.

An inspection of the factory is arranged to examine and verify the quality management system adopted by the applicant. Specific attention will be paid to the availability of testing facilities during this visit.

The applicant should give every assistance to the inspectors of the Institution to collect samples from the factory as may be required for testing. The cost of inspection, cost of samples and testing fees shall be borne by the applicants.

If the product conforms to the requirements of the standard (verified by checking conformity of two consecutive samples)

and the quality system is found to be satisfactory, a final inspection will be carried out by a panel to ascertain compliance to criteria for certification.

back

Post-permit assessments and inspection

In order to ensure the conformity of the product to relevant Sri Lanka standard specification continuously, satisfactory operation of the quality system and to verify compliance with the permit conditions, periodic audits shall be carried out at the manufacturer's facility. Samples of the product obtained from the manufacturer's facility / open market/parties to whom supplies have been made are also tested to check compliance with the specification.

The permit holder shall ensure that the permit conditions are complied with all aspects and necessary assistance and co-operation is extended to Sri Lanka Standards Institution at all times

back

Validity of Permit

Validity of a permit is for three years which can be renewed thereafter subject to conformity of the samples to the relevant Sri Lanka Standard and satisfactory operation of the quality system

back

Misuse of the mark or violation of permit conditions

The Certification Mark is protected by the Institution, and the misuse or infringement of this mark is an offence under the Sri Lanka Standards Institution Act. For such offences the Act prescribes fines and or a period of imprisonment not exceeding two years. Further, a permit can be cancelled at any time if the commodity or product is sub-standard or if the permit holder fails to comply with the terms and conditions under which a permit is issued.

For bona fide mistakes corrective steps are taken and the marking may be suspended till improvement in the operation of the system is ensured.