The Bureau of Indian Standards is the statutory organization which is working under the supervision of the Ministries of human affairs, food, and public distribution, Central Government. The Bureau of Indian Standard enabled by the Bureau of Indian Standard Act, 2016 by which it grant licenses to manufacturers and to perform practically in every industrial discipline, from agriculture and textiles through electronic mode.
The BIS is functioning under the administrative command of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The certification permits licensees to use the popular ISI mark, which for 55 years has been synonymous with quality products for the Indian and its neighboring markets.
Background of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
It was formed by the Bureau of Indian Standards, 1986, which came into existence on 23rd December 1986. The organization was earlier known as the Indian Standards Institute (ISI), which was part of the Department of Industries and Supply no. 1 std. (7) / 45, dated 3 September 1949.
The BIS has 25 members from central or state governments in sectors of industry, scientific and research institutes and consumer organizations. It is headquartered in New Delhi, and has regional offices in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Chennai[1], Delhi and also situated in 20 other branch offices within the territory of India. It also serves as an inquiry point for India, where the BIS and FSSAI have a role in its functioning.
Functions to be Performed by the Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards continues to benefit the economy by providing safe and reliable and quality goods through its core activities of standardization and conformance assessment; protecting the environment, reducing health hazards for consumers, Control the spread of varieties; promoting exports and imports etc.
Read our article:How to Obtain BIS Certification in India?
Schemes of Certification Provided Under Bureau of Indian Standards
Product Certification Scheme
The Product Certification Scheme covered under the rules & regulation designed by the BIS. This scheme is only applies on tangible product or the products discussed under the compulsory certification.
System Certification Scheme
The System Certification Scheme authorizes the foreign manufacturers who are engaged in the business activities in the territory of India.
Hallmarking
The hallmarking scheme applies on the item which is to be prepared from the metal like silver or gold.
ECO Mark Scheme
This scheme is applies on the product which are related with environment.
What you mean by Mandatory Certification under BIS?
To get the Bureau of Indian Standard Registration is essentially voluntary in nature. However, Bureau of Indian Standard needs mandatory certification for products which affect on the health and safety of consumers. Mandatory certification scheme is further divided into two categories
Indian Standards Institute Mark Scheme
ISI Mark Scheme is applies on the products like cement, electrical appliances, baby food, etc.
Compulsory Certification Scheme
Compulsory Certification is needed mostly for electronic products.
Importance of Bureau of Indian Standard Relating to Food Safety under FSSAI
The Bureau of Indian Standards has importance related to the FSSAI because the BIS is the one that has given security rights and standards to the FSSAI license. BIS handles a lot of tasks in favor of other departments, it assist the other departments to function properly without facing any trouble.
The Bureau of Indian Standards performs number of tasks such as standardization, marking and collective development of quality certifications that basically give emphasis on standardization. It provides a national strategy for recognizing standards and integrating them with the development and growth of production and exports.
Powers and Functions of the Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards enjoys certain special powers and many such duties as may be conferred by the Department or provided under the section 10 of the Act.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards shall establish, promote and publish in relation to any article or process in such a manner as it may set Indian standard.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards shall maintain recognition as an Indian standard, in such a way that a standard established by any other institution in India or elsewhere in relation to any article or procedure.
- Originally, a standard mark is called the Bureau of Indian Standards certification mark, which must be of a particular design and contain details that can be determined to represent a particular Indian standard.
- The Bureau of Indian Standard can grant, renew, suspend or cancel a FSSAI license with the use of the Standard Mark.
- The bureau of Indian standard can levy the fees for granting or renewal of any license;
- The Bureau of Indian Standards can make inspections and take food samples of any material or substance at any time.
Offences & Punishment Provided Under Bureau of Indian Standard Act, 2016
Section 30 of the Bureau of Indian Standard Act, 2016 deals with the offences commit by the company.
- An offense has been committed by a company (director, manager, secretary or any other officer of the company) or who was in charge or the person who is responsible for the functioning of company business at the time of offence was committed
- The company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
- Despite the fact that the offence has been committed with or without the consent of that person.
Concluding Remark
The Bureau of Indian Standards is involved in the process of quality testing of several products and services in fourteen regions within the Indian Territory. The quality check certification of all these products and services protects people from various health and safety hazards. In the era of globalization and the increasing importance of ensuring conformity to standards in global trade, BIS has a very high importance and responsibility.
Conformity assessment procedures have become important in modern times and, therefore, the Bureau of Indian Standards plays an important role in increasing Indian trade and exports. Kindly associate with the Corpbiz expert to know more about the Bureau of Indian Standard and Its Importance Relating to FSSAI.
Read our article:Advantages and Disadvantages of BIS Registration
