Cement is one of the most tightly regulated construction materials in Pakistan. Every major cement type is on the compulsory list of the Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), which means a manufacturer must hold a Certification Marks licence and print the mark on every bag.
This guide covers which cement types are included, the Pakistan Standard that applies to each, and what a cement plant or grinding unit needs in place to get licensed and stay licensed.
Which cement types need PSQCA certification?
Five cement types appear on PSQCA's list of compulsory items:
| Cement type | Pakistan Standard | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Portland cement (OPC) | PS 232-2015 | Compulsory |
| Sulphate resisting Portland cement | PS 612 | Compulsory |
| White Portland cement | PS 1630-2014 | Compulsory |
| Masonry cement | PS 5314-2014 | Compulsory |
| Portland blast furnace cement | PS 1631 | Compulsory |
Check PSQCA's list for the latest revision of each standard before you apply, as revisions are issued from time to time.
Who needs a PSQCA cement licence?
- Integrated cement plants and standalone grinding units
- Producers of white cement and masonry cement
- Brands selling cement made by another plant under their own name
- Importers of cement into Pakistan
What the cement standards test
Standards such as PS 232 set both physical and chemical requirements. On the physical side that means fineness, setting time, soundness and compressive strength at specified ages. On the chemical side it means limits on composition. Each standard also sets the sampling rules and what must be printed on the bag.
Your plant laboratory should be able to run the routine tests the standard requires. For cement that means, at a minimum, a compression testing machine, Blaine apparatus for fineness and Vicat apparatus for setting time.
Bag marking requirements
Licensed bags must show the PSQCA certification mark with the licence details, plus the information the relevant standard requires: cement type and grade, manufacturer's name, net weight, and the date or week of packing.
One licence per cement type
Each cement type is certified against its own standard. A plant that makes ordinary Portland cement and sulphate resisting cement needs both products certified, each with its own test results and its own bag marking. Plan your applications product by product, and do not print the mark on a type that is not yet covered.
How the licence process works for a cement plant
PSQCA uses the same Certification Marks route for every compulsory product. For cement, each stage looks like this:
- Application. You file one application per cement type with the supporting documents, and PSQCA scrutinises and registers it.
- Factory evaluation. Officers visit the plant. They look at process control from raw mix to clinker to finish grinding, at the packing plant, and closely at the laboratory and its calibration records.
- Sampling. Samples are drawn from the packing plant or from stock.
- Testing. Samples are tested in your laboratory and at PSQCA's laboratories. Strength is measured at specified ages, so this stage cannot be rushed.
- Licence. If the cement conforms, the licence is issued for that cement type.
- Surveillance. PSQCA carries out periodic factory inspections and tests samples taken from both the plant and the market.
- Renewal. The licence is reviewed and renewed periodically, and can be suspended or cancelled if the cement fails to conform.
Market sampling matters more for cement than for most products. A bag that has sat in a dealer's store through a humid season is still tested against the standard, so packing quality and stock rotation in your distribution chain are part of compliance.
Documents to prepare
The core file is the same as for any PSQCA product: proof of company registration, a process flow chart, the quality manual and quality plan, raw-material specifications, a list of test equipment with calibration records, details of QC staff, test reports showing conformity, and factory layout and location plans. Our PSQCA certification checklist sets out every item.
For a cement plant, the part inspectors examine hardest is the laboratory. Keep calibration certificates current for the compression testing machine, Blaine apparatus and Vicat apparatus. Our guide to calibration and traceability explains the records they expect to see.
Confirm the current application fee directly with PSQCA before filing, as fees are revised from time to time.
Other approvals a cement project needs
A PSQCA licence covers the product, not the plant. A new cement plant or grinding unit also needs environmental approval before construction starts, and that approval cannot be obtained afterwards. Our guide to environmental approval and industrial permits sets out the permits by project stage. PSQCA also asks for proof that the company exists, so SECP company registration comes first for a new business.
Tips for cement manufacturers
- Record every shift's test results. Surveillance includes market samples, so consistency across batches is what protects the licence.
- Keep retained samples from each production lot, so you can re-test if a market sample is disputed.
- Apply separately for each cement type you produce, and add new types to the licence before you launch them.
- Check your bag artwork against the standard before a print run.
Frequently asked questions
Is PSQCA certification compulsory for cement?
Yes. Portland, sulphate resisting, white, masonry and Portland blast furnace cement are all on PSQCA's compulsory list.
Which standard applies to ordinary Portland cement?
Ordinary Portland cement falls under PS 232-2015.
Does each cement type need a separate licence?
Each product is certified against its own Pakistan Standard, so plan for certification product by product.
Does imported cement need PSQCA approval?
Compulsory items must conform to Pakistan Standards whether they are made locally or imported. Importers should confirm the current import procedure with PSQCA.
How Connect Engineers & Consultants can help
CEC helps cement manufacturers and importers prepare the complete PSQCA file: documentation, quality-control setup, pre-testing, readiness for the factory inspection, and follow-up until the licence is issued.
Ready to license your cement? See our PSQCA product certification service or talk to our team.
PSQCA's list of compulsory items and Pakistan Standards are revised from time to time. Always confirm the latest standard, fees and requirements with PSQCA before applying.
