Bureau of Indian Standards: Quality and Certification Explained for UPSC SSC

Origin and Establishment

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body. It was established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. This Act came into force on December 23, 1986. BIS replaced the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), which was set up in 1947. The ISI was a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The transition from ISI to BIS aimed to give the national standards body a statutory status. This change provided more authority and legal backing to its functions. The headquarters of BIS is located in New Delhi. It operates through a network of regional offices and branch offices across the country. These offices help in implementing its various schemes and activities effectively.

Mandate and Functions

BIS is responsible for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. It also provides for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Its primary functions include formulating Indian Standards, operating product certification schemes, and managing the hallmarking of gold and silver jewellery. BIS also runs a management systems certification scheme and a laboratory recognition scheme. It promotes consumer protection and provides technical information services. The organization works to ensure that products available in the market meet specified quality and safety benchmarks, thereby protecting consumers and promoting fair trade practices. It also represents India in international standardization bodies like ISO and IEC.

Key Certification Schemes

BIS operates several important certification schemes. The most well-known is the Product Certification Scheme, under which manufacturers obtain a license to use the ISI Mark on their products. This mark assures consumers of product quality and safety. There are over 26,000 licenses currently in operation for more than 380 products. Another significant scheme is the Hallmarking Scheme for gold and silver jewellery. This scheme provides third-party assurance to consumers on the purity of precious metal articles. Hallmarking was made mandatory for certain gold jewellery items from June 16, 2021. BIS also offers a Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) for overseas manufacturers. This allows them to use the ISI Mark on their products sold in India, ensuring quality for imported goods.

Standard Formulation Process

The process of formulating Indian Standards is democratic and transparent. It involves various stakeholders, including manufacturers, consumers, scientists, technologists, and government bodies. Technical Committees, comprising experts from different fields, draft the standards. These drafts are then circulated for public comments. After considering all feedback, the standards are finalized and published. This ensures that the standards are robust, practical, and acceptable to all concerned parties. BIS has formulated over 21,000 Indian Standards across various sectors. These standards cover a wide range of products, services, and systems, contributing significantly to industrial growth and consumer welfare in India. The standards are reviewed periodically to keep pace with technological advancements and market needs.

BIS Act 2016

The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, replaced the 1986 Act. This new Act came into force on October 12, 2017. The 2016 Act expanded the scope of BIS. It allowed the government to make hallmarking of precious metal articles mandatory. It also enabled the government to bring any goods or services under the mandatory certification regime. This means that no person can manufacture, import, or sell any product or service that does not conform to a standard and bear the standard mark. The Act also introduced provisions for recall of non-conforming goods and services. It increased penalties for violations and introduced self-declaration of conformity for certain products. This strengthened BIS's regulatory powers and enhanced consumer protection.

Important Keywords Explained

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)organization

India's national standards body, responsible for standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. It ensures product quality and safety, formulates standards, and operates certification schemes like ISI Mark and Hallmarking.

ISI Markconcept

A certification mark for industrial products in India. It indicates that a product conforms to an Indian Standard. The mark is mandatory for certain products and assures consumers of quality and safety.

Hallmarkingconcept

A system for certifying the purity of precious metals like gold and silver. In India, BIS operates the Hallmarking Scheme, which involves marking jewellery with a BIS mark, purity grade, assaying centre mark, and jeweller's identification mark.

BIS Act, 2016act

The current legislation governing the Bureau of Indian Standards. It empowers the government to make certification mandatory for goods and services, strengthens regulatory provisions, and enhances consumer protection measures.

Additional Facts & Context

• BIS operates through 5 Regional Offices and 33 Branch Offices across India.
• The first Indian Standard was published in 1947.
• BIS has a network of 8 laboratories for testing products.
• The BIS certification scheme covers over 380 products under mandatory certification.
• BIS is a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).