core sector communique

BIS to Formulate Standards on Nanotechnology and Energy Efficiency

Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS), the national standards body of the country, has taken a number of steps to meet the emerging challenges through its manifold activities in the field of standardization and quality certification of goods and services. BIS is giving priority to standardization in new areas like Nanotechnology, Energy Efficiency, New Renewable Energy and Bio-technology. Chairing the meeting of BIS Board here today, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said that BIS has been asked to harmonized Indian Standard, where feasible, with international standards to provide quality goods and services to the people.

Presenting a review of BIS activities, Prof. Thomas said that BIS has been directed to take periodic review of existing standards and upgrade them keeping in view consumer needs, health and safety aspects, environmental protection and technological developments. With a view to providing safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products to the consumers, BIS on the request of Ministry of Commerce has formulate a standard keeping in mind the best of international practices. This standard is first in a series of Indian standard on good agriculture practices to be developed.

The Minister said, in public interest, Central Government has notified 83 articles for mandatory conformance to the relevant Indian Standards. These products relate to health and safety of the consumers and include packaged drinking water, LPG cylinders, clinical thermometers, cement and milk products etc. BIS has been asked to strengthen its activities the area of Hallmarking of gold and silver jewellery.

Stressing for sustain improvement in the quality of services, the minister said BIS has launched Quality Management System for public service organizations which has been adopted by many government departments, including Income Tax Department, Central Excise and Custom Department, Postal Department and Central Schools etc. BIS has also organized consumer education and training, HRD and capacity building programme for the official of various government departments.