What is BIS?
BIS or the Bureau of Indian Standards is a national statutory body governed by the Act of 2016. BIS covers the standardization process in the food and other related products industry in India. The body has been identified as the ‘National Standards Body of India’ which is regulated under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It was originally enacted in the year 1986 and the Act came into existence in December. Late on Parliament with the approval of both the houses passed an Act of 2016 which came into effect in 2017. The Act was established with the main purpose to develop the activities of marking, standardisation process and quality of the goods to minimize health hazards to consumers and protect the environment.
Features and Role of BIS
The BIS seeks to ensure better product development, safeguard the environment, reduce health hazards and curb the proliferation of the goods. The following are the features performed by BIS:
- Enables the GOI for hallmarking schemes for precious metals which is necessary for certification.
- Enables any third-party agencies to certify and enforce the standards.
- Protects the interest of end users by providing certification and standardisation of products.
- Eliminates sub-standard products by mandating marking requirements.
- Facilitates third-party lab services for product testing.
- Formulates and implements standards for various products with the aid of relevant government departments.
- It provides facilities for repair of products which must bear Standard Mark.
- The Act has identified new areas for standardisation such as:
- Medical devices
- Smart cities
- E-mobility
- New and renewable energy
- Digital technology
- Alternate fuels
Objectives and activities
The authority ensures harmonious development of the activities through the process of marking, standardisation and quality certification of the products. They provide quality control for the growth and development of the industry to meet the needs of consumers. The following are the activities such as:
Standards formulation- BIS is divided into various sectors which are grouped into 14 departments such as Civil, Chemicals, Medical Equipments, Food and Agriculture, Transport Engineering, etc. Each divisional council is divided into different segments which help ensure the quality up-gradation of their goods and services.
International Activities- The organisations like International Organization for Standardisation, Regional and Bilateral Cooperation, World Trade Organization and International Electro-technical Commission actively engage in the operations of standardisation, certification process and testing to ensure growth and development.
Product Certification- BIS certification process is a mandatory scheme which has to be followed by all the manufacturers when they have to sell goods in the market. This process id has been done before ensuring license to the manufacturer to ensure capability and test the product to its conformity according to the standards.
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme- BIS provides validity for goods to be sold in the Indian market to foreign manufacturers also. The manufacturers can seek certification with the BIS standard mark after proper inspection of their product before it is sold in the market.
Registration Scheme for Self-Declaration of conformity- It is a simplified process of verification process wherein the manufacturer makes a declaration himself that his product is up to Indian Standards and is eligible for consumption in the Indian market.
Hallmarking- Hallmarking is a process of purification and verification wherein articles such as gold, platinum, silver, etc so that consumers can be safe when they are purchasing a genuine and legitimate product. The principal objective of the Hallmarking Scheme is to protect the public against adulteration to maintain legal standards of fineness. This process of accurate determination is a vital part of when an article is being purchased
Laboratory- This is an essential process for verification of a product. BIS has established various laboratories to ensure that the product that is being sold in the market are up to the standards of health and safety.
National Institute of Training for Standardization- BIS has set up such an institute for technical and management personnel to protect the consumers by establishing consumer organizations, a government undertaking, etc.
Consumer Affairs and Publicity- There are various programmes such as Consumer Awareness Programmes, Industry Awareness Programmes, other public grievances and public relations which certify the product for the audience and create awareness.
Certification process
Manufacturers have to go through the process of certification which allows the license to their product. The certification scheme is one of the largest in the world and allows overseas manufacturers to grant licenses to use the BIS Standard Mark. There are over 26500 licenses covering more than 900 products. Products such as cement, food and related products, household electrical goods, automobile accessories, oil pressure stoves, medical equipment, steel products, electrical transformers, diesel engines, cylinders, valves and regulators require BIS Certification otherwise no manufacturer can sell or manufacture their products. BIS also helps in supporting many public policies in the areas of environment, product safety, food safety, consumer protection, etc. the following are the schemes which are covered under BIS as:
Hallmarking- This scheme applies to precious ornaments like silver and gold.
Product certification Scheme- The scheme includes products which are in an intangible form and need compulsory certification.
ECO mark Scheme- It applies to products related to the environment or which affect the environment.
System Certification Scheme- This is the application process required by all the manufacturers to follow before the launch of a product.
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme- This scheme applies to foreign manufacturers who engage in the sale of goods in India.
Difference between BIS and ISI
The ISI mark refers to the quality standard set by the Indian government which is used for the quality standards. It is a quality assurance standard which is given by the government and guarantees the high quality of the products. BIS is the authority that uses the ISI mark which offers mandatory product certification. They look after the processes of standardization which is necessary for ISI.
Conclusion
The authority has diverted the attention toward various national schemes and government initiatives such as Digital India, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Make in India, etc which has encouraged doing business by providing standardization and certification process. BIS ensures to simplify the assessment of goods which may set to a more straightforward approach and quick processes. BIS helps solve the issues occurring to technological advancements and changes in the environment.
BYJU’S https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/bureau-indian-standards-act-2016/
BIS.gov.in https://www.bis.gov.in/index.php/system-certification-overview/systems-certification/
Corpbiz https://corpbiz.io/learning/role-of-bis-in-india/#An_Overview_on_BIS_Statutory_Framework
Department of Consumer Affairs https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/en/organisation-and-units/division/bureau-indian-standards#:~:text=Bureau%20of%20Indian%20Standards%20(BIS,connected%20therewith%20or%20incidental%20thereto.
PRESTO https://www.prestogroup.com/blog/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-and-indian-standards-institute-isi/
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