The federal government is considering mandatory testing of solar panels before import, citing safety and quality concerns. The initiative was discussed during a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology.
The Secretary of Science revealed that a state-of-the-art solar panel laboratory, established with South Korean cooperation, will soon become operational. The lab will conduct at least 46 different tests on solar panels to ensure compliance with international standards.
The Pakistan-Korea lab is set to be registered with the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), which regulates laboratory certifications across the country. The Ministry of Science is working to complete the registration as quickly as possible.
However, Federal Minister for Science Khalid Magsi expressed surprise over the ongoing policy formulation. He claimed the ministry was unaware of key developments and warned that untested policy could create operational challenges.
“If they hold a camera meeting, I can explain what is happening in my ministry,” Khalid Magsi stated.
The Secretary of Science presented a proposal suggesting that imported solar products should undergo mandatory testing before receiving import permission. Senator Saeed Hashmi raised concerns about whether the ministry would actually test the products before approving imports.
“If permission is granted without testing, holding the goods upon arrival would be an even greater injustice,” the secretary warned. Committee members noted that some shipments are already delayed, causing spoilage and financial loss.
Minister Khalid Magsi also criticized the government’s pre-shipment policy, stating that no prior study was conducted and expressing doubts over its acceptance by international bodies. The Chairperson of PSQCA confirmed that the policy had been implemented without consultation, highlighting the need for coordination with the Ministry of Commerce.
The Secretary of Science reported that containers of solar panels have been sitting at ports for three months, posing potential hazards. Khalid Magsi warned that untested products reaching the market could be extremely dangerous for consumers.
The solar panel laboratory is expected to be completed in about six weeks, with South Korean experts currently training local engineers and staff. Committee members emphasized that testing should extend to solar inverters and batteries, citing past consumer losses due to low-quality inverters.
The Committee Chairman also highlighted environmental risks from improperly tested solar panels already installed nationwide. He urged adherence to international best practices to prevent long-term environmental damage.