Steel Quality Control : Plans to establish National Testing Lab

The Ministry of Industry held a coordination meeting in Yangon on Friday to discuss the establishment of a national laboratory for quality testing of iron and steel products used in construction sector. Union Minister Dr. Charlie Than emphasized the need for reliable quality control following the March 28 Mandalay earthquake, which caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

He stressed the importance of adhering to the Myanmar National Building Code 2025 (MNBC-2025) and improving the quality of steel reinforcement bars, which play a critical role in structural integrity.

The meeting discussed drafting a roadmap for national steel quality standards, identifying mandatory standards for steel products, testing domestically produced and imported steel, establishing a recognized national testing lab with support from experts, raising public awareness through educational seminars on MNBC-2025 and using existing local labs for steel testing until the new facility is built.

Industry stakeholders also shared recommendations on required lab equipment, procedures, ensuring that steel used in construction meets safety and performance standards. After the meeting, engineering associations handed over printed and digital versions of the MNBC-2025 guidelines to the Union Minister.