The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is moving to expand testing and certification facilities across the country in a bid to enhance export competitiveness and address a key constraint faced by exporters.

The initiative was discussed at a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Colombo, bringing together representatives from government institutions, testing laboratories, certification bodies, and the export sector.

Speaking at the event, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said that quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and speed-to-market have become critical factors in determining success in international trade. He noted that the concentration of testing facilities in Colombo continues to create logistical and operational challenges for exporters located in the Northern, Eastern, and Southern provinces.

The EDB said the lack of regionally accessible testing and certification services has increased costs and processing times for exporters, potentially affecting their ability to meet the requirements of overseas buyers and compete effectively in global markets.

To address these challenges, stakeholders discussed a range of measures aimed at decentralizing testing and certification services. These include upgrading and modernizing existing provincial government laboratories, improving the utilization of underused testing facilities, promoting public-private partnerships, and streamlining certification procedures through digital platforms.

As part of the next phase of the initiative, the EDB plans to conduct a comprehensive mapping of exporters’ testing and certification needs alongside an assessment of the capabilities of existing service providers. The findings will be used to develop practical recommendations and policy interventions for consideration by relevant authorities.

The Board emphasized that closer collaboration among government regulatory agencies, laboratory networks, and industry stakeholders will be essential to building an efficient quality infrastructure that supports Sri Lanka’s export growth ambitions.

The move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the country's export ecosystem and improve the capacity of Sri Lankan businesses to meet increasingly stringent international standards, thereby facilitating greater market access and export diversification.