Financial Times - Compulsory registration for water bottlers

Compulsory registration for water bottlers

So far 17 out of 47 SLS certified bottled water companies have applied for registration at the Health Ministry under compulsory registration rules.

Officials said though the closing date was May 21, there was a likelihood of it being extended to provide more time for some 300 bottled water companies in the market.

According to the rule, if a SLS certified company applies for registration, the one off cost is Rs 8,000. However in the case of a non-SLS mark bottle, the cost of registration is Rs 80,000.

Asked about the high cost, one official said this is because of the cost of testing samples and visits. “But it’s a one-off cost unlike the SLS mark where it has to be renewed every 2-3 years at fresh cost,” he said.

After an application is made to the health authorities for registration, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution will be asked to check the water sample and provide a report on its quality.

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