The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) was established by the Government through an Ordinance passed in July 1985. BSTI is headed by a Director General (Additional Secretary to the Government).

The primary activities of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) are: standardization of services and products (S); introduction of the international unit system of weights and measures and promotion of metrology services (M); promotion of quality assurance activities; rendering testing facilities for services and products; preparation, promotion and adoption of national standards. The Institution is also empowered with some regulatory measures in these fields. The Institutional budget is fully supported by its own income, i.e. It is functioning as a self financing organization.

The Institution has also taken steps to create awareness among different bodies and entrepreneurs for adoption of all key ISO standards (ISO 9000, 14000, etc.), CAC, IEC. The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) signed the International Electrotechnical Commission's (IEC) affiliate country programme pledge in 2001.

The importance of BSTI is being increasingly felt due to the government's cardinal policy to make industries export oriented and to supply the consumers at home and abroad with quality products. The Institution is emerging as a forceful exponent in the overall development of the country. The introduction of the international unit system (SI Units) and promotion of metrology services are also gaining momentum.