Mon - Sat: 9.00 - 18.00

Myanmar

Introduction

The MAB operates as the Accreditation Division within the National Standards and Quality Department (NSQD), under the Department of Research and Innovation (DRI) in the Ministry of Education. It is the sole responsible body for accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in Myanmar, ensuring their technical competence, impartiality, and reliable operations in line with international best practices.

The MAB conducts its accreditation activities in full compliance with ISO/IEC 17011:2017 — Conformity assessment — Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. This standard underpins its quality management system, assessment procedures, decision-making, and ongoing surveillance of accredited bodies.

Establishment and Development

The MAB has been developed with international support to build Myanmar’s National Quality Infrastructure (NQI). Key milestones include:

  • Technical assistance and training from UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany’s national metrology institute).
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 8 June 2017 with the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) for joint assessments and capacity building, leading to collaborative trainings (e.g., on ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 15189, ISO/IEC 17020) and joint evaluations of laboratories in 2018–2019.
  • The Myanmar Accreditation Body Action Plan (2020–2025), developed with PTB support, aimed at strengthening the accreditation framework; a workshop on this plan was held on 18 December 2019.

Role and Objectives

The MAB provides formal recognition of the competence of CABs, including testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies. Its primary objectives are:

  • To promote international acceptance of test results, inspection reports, and certification outcomes to facilitate trade and reduce technical barriers.
  • To enhance consumer confidence, product safety, public health, environmental protection, and overall trust in goods and services.
  • To support government regulatory activities and contribute to economic development by aligning with regional (ASEAN) and global standards frameworks.

Current Status and Scope

As a developing accreditation body, the MAB’s primary focus remains on accrediting testing and calibration laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025 (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories). It has the framework to accredit other types of CABs, including:

  • Medical laboratories (ISO 15189)
  • Inspection bodies (ISO/IEC 17020)
  • Management systems certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17021-1)
  • Product, process, and service certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17065)
  • Personnel certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17024)

However, current accredited bodies are predominantly testing laboratories (TL series certificates), with scopes covering areas such as veterinary diagnostics, building materials, bitumen, natural rubber, food/feedstuffs, water/soil/minerals, microbiology, and more. Examples include:

  • Mandalay Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (TL 0012, valid until 28 September 2028)
  • Building Research Laboratories (TL 0011, valid until 17 June 2028)
  • Myanmar Inspection & Testing Services Ltd (TL 0009, valid until 8 October 2027)
  • SGS (Myanmar) Ltd (TL 0005, valid until 8 June 2026)

There are no prominently listed accredited bodies in inspection, management system certification, product certification, or other advanced scopes under MAB. Accreditation remains in a capacity-building and developmental phase, with ongoing efforts to expand scopes and achieve broader international recognition.

International and Regional Engagement

The MAB is an Associate Member of the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) (joined 14 December 2022) and serves as Myanmar’s contact point for regional cooperation. It maintains affiliations with:

  • International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
  • International Accreditation Forum (IAF) (now part of the unified Global Accreditation Cooperation as of 1 January 2026)

At the ASEAN level, it participates actively through the ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) Working Group 2 on Accreditation and Conformity Assessment (hosting meetings in 2013 and 2017). Myanmar is not yet a signatory to major multilateral recognition arrangements (e.g., APAC MRA or equivalent global MRA), limiting full peer-recognized equivalence internationally, though efforts continue toward this goal.

This accreditation system supports Myanmar’s integration into regional trade frameworks (e.g., ASEAN) while addressing challenges in infrastructure development and broader national context. For the latest details, including the full Directory of CABs and individual scopes of accreditation, visit the official page: https://www.myanmarstandards.org.mm/accreditation-division (with linked scopes often in PDF format, updated as recently as 2025).

  1.  Howse, Robert; Jared M. Genser. “Are EU Trade Sanctions on Burma Compatible With WTO Law?” (PDF). Are EU Trade Sanctions on Burma Compatible with WTO Law?: 166 ff. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2010. repressive and abusive military regime
  2. ^ “List of UN General Assembly Resolutions on Burma”. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  3. ^ “UN General Assembly Resolution: Time for Concrete Action” (Press release). International Federation for Human Rights. 20 November 2009. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  4. ^ Adams, Brad (1 September 2004). “Statement to the EU Development Committee”. Human Rights Watch. Archived from the original on 20 June 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2006.
  5. ^ Adams, Brad. “Amnesty International 2009 Report on Human Rights in Myanmar”. Amnesty International. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  6. ^ “Myanmar set to release some 70 prisoners”. The Myanmar Times. 24 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  7. ^ Weng, Lawi (24 July 2013). “Burma Govt Releases 73 Political Prisoners”. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  8. ^ “Myanmar: Final push on political prisoners needed”. 27 September 2012. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  9. ^ “Burma Frees 56 Political Prisoners”. Voice of America. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  10. ^ Guardia, Anton La (24 June 2005). “Myanmar’s ‘slow genocide’ is revealed through the eyes of its child victims”. The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 20 November 2012.[dead link]
  11. ^ “2013 UNHCR country operations profile – Thailand”. UNHCR. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  12. ^ “Myanmar: Villages burned, civilians injured and killed as Rakhine State conflict escalates”. Amnesty International. 12 October 2020. Archived from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  13. ^ “Statement of ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC: Application for an arrest warrant in the situation in Bangladesh/Myanmar | International Criminal Court”. www.icc-cpi.int. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  14. ^ Rebane, Teele (30 August 2024). “Myanmar’s poorest are so desperate they’re turning to social media to sell their kidneys”. CNN. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  15. ^ Jump up to:a b Head, Jonathan (5 February 2009). “What drive the Rohingya to sea?”. BBC. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  16. ^ “Major Reform Underway”. Crisis Group. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  17. ^ “Freedom in the World 2012: Burma”. Freedom House. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  18. ^ Freedom House (2013). “Burma”. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  19. ^ “Burma gets rights commission”. Australia Network News. 7 September 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  20. ^ Kyaw Hsu (19–25 September 2011). “Anyeint group returns from exile in Thailand”. MM Times. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  21. ^ Murdoch, Lindsay (29 September 2011). “Burma flags mass release of political prisoners”. The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
Translate »