The decision came a day after the collapse of a nine-storey garment factory building at Savar reportedly due to structural faults in its design. At least 28 people were killed in the accident and some 300 others are still trapped under the rubble.

Factories located outside the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) area must take approval from structural engineers or certified companies to get the membership, BGMEA executive committee decided at an emergency meeting.

In their approval, the structural engineers or the certified companies should mention that the factory has been built complying with the existing rules, BGMEA said.

Rajuk Chairman Shahid Alam told The Daily Star on Monday that the sweater factory building that crumbled did not have approval from Rajuk.

"The building was not properly designed and constructed. The building owner did not even take Rajuk's approval before its construction," he said, adding that the area where the building is located came under the jurisdiction of Rajuk six to seven years ago.

The BGMEA also formed a five-member probe team headed by Ali Azam Khan, chairman of its standing committee on safety measures, to identify the reasons behind the collapse of Spectrum Sweater Industries Ltd in the early hours of Monday.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

The BGMEA has formed four medical teams to provide emergency treatment for the injured and taken the responsibility of treating the seriously wounded.

Chaired by BGMEA President Annisul Huq, the emergency meeting reviewed ongoing rescue operations, emergency medical arrangements and overall situation.

The meeting also expressed deep shock at the accident and prayed for the departed souls.