Context:
The Government of India recently initiated a scheme through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the upgradation and strengthening of the laboratory network in the country.
Relevance:
GS III: Indian Economy
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
- BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016.
- It oversees standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods to ensure their safety and reliability.
- BIS is the successor of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), established in 1947.
- It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Functions and Responsibilities:
- Provides traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy by ensuring safe, reliable quality goods.
- Minimizes health hazards to consumers and promotes exports while controlling the proliferation of varieties through standardization, certification, and testing.
- Operates product certification schemes covering various industrial disciplines.
- Certification by BIS is mandatory for certain products affecting public health and safety, while voluntary or self-certification may be permitted for others.
Certification Process:
- BIS grants licenses to manufacturers through product certification schemes.
- It employs engineers, scientists, and statisticians to ensure compliance with standards.
- Testing is conducted in BIS laboratories as well as in independent facilities following ISO guidelines.
- BIS headquarters is in New Delhi, with regional and branch offices across India.
