World Standards Day, also known as International Standards Day – is celebrated on October 14th every year; the primary objective is to educate businesses, consumers and policymakers on the importance of standardisation. Members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrate this day as a means of paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards.
CNBC states, “The first World Standards Day was marked on October 14, 1946. International standards bodies like ISO, IEC and ITU established the day. Though regular commemorations only started nearly 25 years later, when Faruk Sunter, then president of IES (International Organization for Standardization), hosted the event for encouraging standardisation in industrial settings.” In the past, units of measurement were vastly different across various regions. Ensuring measurement consistency is critical, especially with techs like smartphones and batteries. Standardisation fixes this problem by simplifying usage and promoting innovation; it boosts efficiency, minimises waste, and paves the way for improved products and systems.
The theme for International Standards Day 2023 was “Shared Vision for a Better World: Incorporating Sustainable Development Goal for Good Health and Well-Being.” This vision is aligned with the UN’s SDG 3 – Accessible and Safe Healthcare for All. International standards play a crucial role in reaching the targets of SDG 3. They facilitate a global structure that enables the adoption of digital health technologies, R&D, manufacturing and maintenance of healthcare systems – ensuring that safe and reliable medical devices, services and systems are readily accessible to the general and marginalised population.
Bangladesh commemorates this auspicious occasion with zeal. To acknowledge the significance of this, various government bodies and private companies organised several programmes, including discussion meetings, to mark the occasion.
BSRM, the leading steel manufacturing company and one of the prominent corporate houses in Bangladesh, also observed the day with profound importance as a token of their commitment to manufacturing standard-quality steel products. To BSRM, the word “Standard” means the safety of the people. It lies at the core of BSRM’s brand essence. And that safety comes from fully complying with the right standards.
BSRM is the country’s first and foremost standards-compliant steel producer. The company has consistently taken on the challenge to upgrade and maintain its technological edge to produce steel that conforms to the most demanding global standards. From selecting raw materials to plant and process technologies to employee training, they maintain world-class standards second to none. BSRM not only complies with global standards but also conducts rigorous quality checks every 15 minutes.
As a result of their sheer quality checking and maintenance of standards, BSRM has been a major part of many of the country’s infrastructure projects. Over the years, BSRM steel products have been chosen solely for building major National landmarks and infrastructures like the Padma Bridge, Roopur Nuclear Power plant, Hatirjheel Project, Zillar Rahman Flyover, Mayor Hanif Flyover and Shah Amanat Bridge, Bangabandhu Tunnel and Dhaka Elevated Expressway to name a few.
The backbone of a society is a healthy population who are fit both physically and mentally. Realising this fact, BSRM continuously puts combined effort into supporting reputed organisations to make good health affordable and accessible to the local communities. They work towards better health outcomes through several initiatives designed to create and enhance health services and spread awareness about public health programs. BSRM believes good health should be a right rather than a luxury for people from all walks of life. They are involved in making available safe, potable drinking water, providing primary healthcare benefits, managing the interest of the differently abled and addressing the needs of those who are suffering from malnutrition.
To highlight some of the projects that BSRM has undertaken to promote SDG 3, we shall take a look at two projects – the Keep Smiling (Cleft Lip Project) and the Zero Clubfoot Project, respectively:
Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital disabilities, according to medical science. In a low-income family, when a child is born with such defects, the child’s treatment can’t be ensured due to the parent’s financial condition. Most often, the mother of the children is blamed for the child’s deformity, worsening the situation in their respective families. Keeping all these issues in mind, Child Health Awareness Foundation (CHAF) signed a deal to raise funds on a cost-sharing basis. As many as 900 children underwent surgeries under the first phase of the project, with BSRM funding 85 surgeries at a local private hospital. In 2021, BSRM will bear the expenses of 55 surgeries.
BSRM has partnered with Lion Mukhlesur Rahman Foundation (LMRF) and Syed Nuruddin Ahmed Development Foundation (SNADF) since September 2015 to cure neglected club foot. This project has supported a scheme of modified PONSETI treatment comprising serial casting, TENOTOMY and long-term wearing of special shoes for children born with clubfoot deformity. Under this project, 320 children of Chattogram have been supported so far.
