Afghanistan Standard and Quality Authority (اداره معیار و کیفیت, ASQA) is Afghanistan’s national standards and quality infrastructure authority, responsible for standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, certification and related technical quality activities. The organization was established in 2004 by Presidential Decree 952 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries and later became an independent authority approved by the Council of Ministers in 2007 and ratified by the Afghan Parliament in 2008. ASQA was created to support trade, industrial development, consumer protection and the wider use of standards and quality systems across Afghanistan.

ASQA develops and adopts national standards through technical committees and sector-based coordination structures. Its work covers areas including food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, petroleum products, construction materials, mining, transportation, electrotechnical products, textiles, environmental protection and building codes. The authority also oversees conformity assessment activities, technical regulations, laboratories and certification services linked to products and management systems.

Metrology is another major part of ASQA’s mandate. The authority’s activities in this area include scientific, legal and industrial metrology, as well as calibration, verification and national measurement systems. ASQA also maintains standards and technical requirements for measuring instruments and related equipment used across different sectors of the economy.

ASQA participates in international and regional cooperation through organizations including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), where it is listed as a member body, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Affiliate Country Programme. ISO’s member information also notes participation in a number of ISO technical and policy committees. The authority is additionally a member of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), which focuses on harmonized standards, metrology and conformity assessment cooperation among Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

SMIIC information linked to ASQA shows participation in technical work related to halal food, halal cosmetics, transportation, textiles, energy efficiency, petroleum products and other specialized sectors. ASQA’s international involvement supports the adoption of international standards and technical practices within Afghanistan while helping connect the country’s quality infrastructure system with regional and global frameworks.

The authority’s website also highlights work connected to consumer protection, export promotion, import substitution and improving the competitiveness of Afghan industry through standards and quality systems. ASQA publishes strategic plans, technical documents, standards information, legal material and service-related guidance through its online platform.

For more information, please visit its official website.