The core responsibilities of the SVGBS are outlined in the Standards and Metrology Acts, however the scope of the SVGBS’s field of operation is both dynamic and unlimited, therefore from time to time additional fields of endeavours are embarked upon.

The SVGBS, as the only legal national standardization and metrology agency has the overarching responsibilities for ensuring quality competitiveness, industrial efficiency and for the development and promotion of public and industrial welfare, health and safety in order to safeguard the environment.  In addition to the above responsibilities, the SVGBS shall exercise any other functions that are prescribed by the Standards Council, Government policies and other legislature

Accordingly, the SVGBS has the following responsibilities:

• Prepare and declare national standards and codes of practice.Promote SQAM in goods and services produced or used by the State.
• Promote the manufacturing processes and practices.
• Carry out any functions assigned to it by any written law
• Carry out verification of all measuring and weighing devices used for trade.

These broad responsibilities are vital for ensuring industrial efficiency and for the development and promotion of public and industrial welfare, health and safety in order to safeguard the environment.  In addition to the above responsibilities, the SVGBS shall exercise any other functions that are prescribed by the Standards and Metrology Acts, Council, Government policies and other legislature.  Specifically, the SVGBS shall:

• Promote the general adoption and implementation of standards relating to structures, goods, materials, processes, practices, operation, and other matters on a national and international level;
• Promote research in relation to specifications, establish or designate laboratories and testing facilities to provide for the examination of services and the testing of goods, services, processes and practices;
• Inspect or cause to be inspected products* covered by national standards; i.e.; carry out compliance programs
• Declare standards and keep them under review;
• Collect and publish for public information and guidance data relating to investigations and standards;
• Encourage and undertake educational programmes relating to standards.
• Provide for the examination, testing and calibration of instruments, appliances and apparatus;
• Co-operate with and advise manufacturers in setting up quality control systems and preparing standard;
• Verify and calibrate all weighting and measuring devices used in trade and verify declared quantities pre-packaged goods.
• Provide information and advice on SQAM related matters to the general public.
• Carry out any functions assigned to it by any written law.
• Do such other things as may be expedient or necessary to secure the proper execution of the purposes of both Acts.

In addition to the functions specified above, 

• The SVGBS may provide advisory services for manufacturers as to the type and methods of quality control applicable to their products and may undertake the training of manufacturing staff in quality control.
• The SVGBS shall investigate complaints regarding goods, services, processes and practices referred to it by the consumers and users and may institute legal proceedings against the manufacturer or person(s) supplying the defected goods/services or engaged in the process or practice to cease operations.