Government Aims to Bring 1,500-2,000 Products Under Mandatory Quality Standard Certification

New Delhi: In a bid to ensure quality products for consumers, the government aims to bring 1,500-2,000 products under the ambit of mandatory quality standard certification in the next 2-3 years, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. Addressing the BIS-organised event to commemorate World Standards Day, Goyal, the Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs, said prior to 2014, about 14 quality control orders were issued covering only 106 products under mandatory certification.

Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

This year's theme of World Standards Day, celebrated on October 14 every year, is 'A shared vision for a better world' with a focus on standards for sustainable development goals (SDGs). Goyal said the SDGs mirror the government's flagship programmes and priorities substantially. Several of the government's programmes would directly contribute to advancements of the SDG agenda.

Cooperation of Public and Private Partners

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey, who was also present at the event, said in order to achieve the SDGs, it will require the cooperation of many public and private partners, and the use of all tools, including international standards and conformity assessment.

BIS to Meet Expectations of Economy

The BIS not only has to meet the expectations of the economy but also has to build a forward-looking policy, which would enable it to anticipate future development, he added.

Focus on Healthcare

The secretary said this year's theme has been centered on the pursuit of SDG-3 - ensuring accessible and safe healthcare for all. "It is not just medical devices that need to conform with standards but the entire process in the hospitals...India should become a quality-conscious nation," he said.

Standards as Integral to SDG Success

Special secretary in the Consumer Affairs Ministry Nidhi Khare said, "By recognising standards as integral to SDG success, we acknowledge that these standards are not just technical guidelines but tools for driving positive change, which provide practical solutions to complex problems and help measure progress towards the SDGs."

Launch of BIS Catalogue and Facilitation Centre

On the occasion, a BIS catalog of Indian Standards on herbs used for Ayurveda preparation was unveiled. A BIS facilitation center to respond to the requirements of various stakeholders was also launched.

The government's focus on quality standards is a welcome move and will go a long way in ensuring that consumers get safe and quality products. The BIS's efforts in this regard are commendable and the organization must continue to work towards developing and implementing standards that meet the needs of the economy and the society.