On 25th November 2025, ESDO, in collaboration with BSTI and UNICEF Bangladesh, jointly organized a policy dialogue on “Lead Poisoning Prevention and Standard Update for Industrial Paints, Cookware, and Toys.”

Experts, analysts, and policy-makers from academia and relevant government bodies shared their insights, concerns, and recommendations toward building a lead-safe Bangladesh. After hours of engaged discussion, participants emphasized the need for clearer definitions of stakeholder roles and responsibilities. All speakers agreed on the urgency of establishing a stronger coordination mechanism among ministries, departments, and civil society organizations.

The dialogue was further enriched by the presence of Mr. Syed Margub Murshed, Former Secretary, Government of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO; Ms. Siddika Sultana, Executive Director of ESDO; SM Ferdous Alam, Director General, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and and Dr. Priscilla Wobil of UNICEF, whose participation made the event particularly noteworthy.