KABUL: The Afghanistan Standards Quality Authority (ASQA) has announced that its inspectors have returned a shipment of low-quality imported construction materials to Iran.
According to a statement released Sunday, the shipment contained 24.455 tons of low-quality steel beams (I-beams) that failed to meet Afghanistan’s national standards.
The cargo had been intended to enter the country through Sheikh Abu Nasr Farahi Port and be distributed in domestic markets, said the statement, adding that after comprehensive inspection and strict quality control, it was rejected and sent back to the exporting country.
Officials said the measure was taken to protect the safety of domestic markets and safeguard consumer rights.
“The process of verifying and controlling the quality of construction materials at all border ports across Afghanistan will continue in a transparent, organized, and firm manner. No tolerance will be shown toward the import of low-quality or harmful materials,” said the statement.
The agency also called on traders and importers to strictly follow national standards and fulfill their responsibility in maintaining a healthy and high-quality market.
Previously, similar shipments of low-quality imported goods had also been returned to exporting countries after inspection at Afghan ports.