TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh is a leading provider of Testing, Inspection, & Certification (TIC) services and is part of the TÜV Rheinland Group, which has been operating for more than 150 years in over 50 countries. The company has been present in Bangladesh since 2011 with its corporate office located in Dhaka and offers key services to the textiles and footwear industry.
Leading the success story of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh is Mohammed Hasem Ali, Managing Director, whose 17+ years of expertise in the TIC sector has played a crucial role in shaping the company’s growth trajectory. Hasem has been part of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh from its year of inception and was instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art Softlines Laboratory along with a highly skilled technical team, further expanding the portfolio into inspection, and audit services. He has a customer-first approach which has helped the organisation earn a reputation for fostering local and global relationships while maintaining strong client loyalty.
Recently, he sat down with M A Islam Riyadh, Editor, Textile Focus, to discuss the future of the industry and the role of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh.
Textile Focus: What are your observations on the textile industry in recent times?
Hasem Ali: The Bangladesh textile industry is grappling with a range of challenges, including heightened competition and supply chain disruptions. While managing costs and ensuring timely deliveries have been ongoing concerns, recent power and gas shortages in the past quarter have exacerbated the issue. Additionally, the sector is facing difficulties due to banking constraints and foreign currency restrictions, which are hindering the procurement of machinery and materials from abroad.
However, we view these challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth, enabling the industry to adapt and emerge more resilient. Signs of improvement are already evident, and we are confident that the situation will stabilize in the near term.
Looking ahead, the industry must prioritize addressing growing environmental concerns, particularly in the use of water, chemicals, and energy. This is where the TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) sector plays a crucial role. TIC services ensure regulatory compliance, public safety, and sustainability. With the global TIC market projected to grow at a CAGR of 5-7%, reaching USD 300 billion by 2030, it is clear that businesses are increasingly prioritizing safety, quality and sustainability.
Textile Focus: What are the headwinds faced by the textile industry globally?
Hasem Ali: The global apparel market is facing stricter regulations due to heightened concerns about climate change, water and air quality, ethical sourcing, and consumer safety. In markets like the U.S., Europe, and Asia, new regulations are emerging, particularly to curb fast fashion waste. This creates increasing responsibilities on garment testing and inspection service providers to deliver precise and timely results, as brands and retailers rely on these assessments to manage product life cycles and prevent potential financial or legal repercussions.
On a positive note, the adoption of digitized garment testing operations enables faster reporting, end-to-end traceability, and improved visibility across the entire supply chain—from sourcing & testing to delivery. Digital tools provide better quality control, enable smarter decision-making, and help reduce time to market.
The TIC sector is highly competitive, and if inflation is kept in check and the economy is stable, it would enable us to provide cost-effective services while maintaining industry standards.
Textile Focus: What are the secrets of your successful business over 150 years globally?
Hasem Ali: TÜV Rheinland was founded on October 31, 1872, and our journey from steam boiler inspections to becoming a global service provider for nearly every industry has been a remarkable success story. From the very beginning, our privately organized tests and inspections gained immediate trust, which led to German government authorities commissioning us to conduct safety inspections, initially in steam boilers and eventually expanding to other industries.
As industrialization progressed, TÜV Rheinland quickly took on the inspection of elevators, power plants, and tank farms, evolving with the times. Today, we support our customers globally across 24 business sectors, focusing on people, the environment, and technology.
Our success is built on a strategic approach that includes global networking, capability building, and a customer-centric mindset that focuses on providing comprehensive solutions. A key factor in our growth has been our 22,000 employees, our support to innovations in technology and business, and our highly qualified experts who generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains. For 152 years, safety has been at the core of everything we do—ensuring safety within our own organization and for our valued customers.
In Bangladesh, we have built strong trust with our customers, and our reputation for quality, integrity, performance excellence, and agility has been key to our growth here. We continue to work towards making the world a safer place today for tomorrow.
Textile Focus: How are you providing support to the industry in terms of quality and commitment?
Hasem Ali: TÜV Rheinland supports the industry by offering a wide range of services both locally and internationally.
Certification and Auditing: We provide certification services that help businesses demonstrate compliance with international standards in areas such as quality, safety, and environmental management. This includes ISO certifications related to sustainability and industry-specific standards, ensuring businesses meet global benchmarks.
Testing Services: Our comprehensive testing services cover a wide array of products—from textiles and apparel to footwear —ensuring they meet safety and quality standards.
Inspection Services: Regular inspections and monitoring are essential for maintaining the efficient and safe operation of equipment and facilities, helping to reduce risks and enhance performance across various industries.
Training and Qualification: TÜV Rheinland offers training programs designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of industry professionals in areas like quality management, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance, enabling them to stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.
Customized Solutions: Recognizing that each industry and business faces unique challenges, we collaborate closely with our clients to develop tailored solutions that address their specific needs, ensuring long-term success.
Sustainability Services: We also assist businesses in adopting sustainable practices through services such as environmental impact assessments and helping companies achieve sustainability certifications.
In addition to these core services, TÜV Rheinland offers a broad range of solutions through our global network to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
Textile Focus: What are your parting thoughts?
Hasem Ali: It is essential for all industry stakeholders to work together to ensure the continued success of the sector and uphold Bangladesh’s strong position in the global textile market. The RMG (Ready-Made Garments) industry is a lifeline for millions in Bangladesh, and the industry must continue to prioritize the well-being of its workforce, while continuing to expand the portfolio to include technical garments and high-value products. With this approach, I am confident that Bangladesh’s textile industry will achieve its goal of reaching USD 100 billion in apparel exports by 2030.
