More Indian Standards To Be Harmonized With International Standards

Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas has said that Indian Standards, wherever feasible, should be. It will help our industry to compete globally. Prof. Thomas was addressing a seminar on the occasion of celebrations of World Standards Day here today (14^th October 2011). He asked the Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) to take periodic review and up gradation of Indian Standards, keeping in view consumer needs, health and safety aspects, environmental protection and the latest technological developments.

Highlighting the need of adopting International Standards, the Minister said that these Standards give manufacturers confidence to reach out to the global markets with the knowledge that their products will perform globally and users can obtain same services, wherever they travel. International Standards also promote the transfer of new technologies by facilitating market access for innovative solutions and by providing confidence to the users. Purchasing products or services complying with international standards assures the consumers that they can rely on the same and thereby makes their investments more secure, he added

The minister said that today, India is an important player in the global market. It is therefore important that, where exports are concerned, we make all efforts in adhering to the national/international standards and quality requirements so that our national image and commercial interests are enhanced and protected overseas. In the present era of the WTO, the national standards play a vital role. Further, as per WTO TBT agreement, to which India is also a signatory, the technical regulations are normally required to be based on international standards. Prof. Thomas urged the manufacturers and exporters to comply fully to the prescribed standards and regulations so that the international consumers and community have confidence in Indian manufactured goods and products,

The minister said that all the standardization efforts require active involvement of consumers. He expressed the hope that the BIS is conscious of its role in protecting consumer interests with the representation consumer bodies in its various Advisory and technical committees.

On the occasion, it was informed that BIS is formulating Indian Standards in line with the national priorities in a time bound manner. It has formulated over 18,600 Indian standards on diverse subjects, ranging from food, chemicals, engineering, textiles, to high technological areas of electronics. These standards are formulated through a network of technical committees comprising different stakeholders like representatives from industry, research and development organizations, consumers, testing and lab experts, government etc.

(Source – Press Information Bureau website)

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