Only one coconut oil producer meets SLS certification standards

A significant gap exists between the number of registered coconut oil producers and those meeting mandatory quality benchmarks, officials have revealed. While 167 producers are registered with the Coconut Development Authority, just one has secured certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLS) for coconut oil specifications.

Ayesha Salwatura, Deputy Director of the Goods Certification Division at the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, highlighted the compliance challenge facing the domestic coconut oil industry. The certification gap underscores broader concerns about quality assurance in a sector that remains central to Sri Lanka's agricultural exports and domestic consumption.

The SLS certification process establishes quality, safety, and performance standards for coconut oil products destined for both local and international markets. The low certification rate suggests many producers may be operating without formal quality assurance mechanisms or may face barriers in meeting the prescribed standards.

Industry experts have long advocated for improved compliance among coconut oil manufacturers to enhance product reputation and competitiveness in international markets. The findings raise questions about enforcement mechanisms and the need for enhanced support to help producers achieve certification standards.