Complaints of sub-standard import may force govt to put more items into BIS net
The government is mulling increasing the number of sensitive items included in the list of mandatory items for which the BIS standards have to be followed. This is following allegations of sub-standard imports from countries such as China, as in the case of toys.
At present there are 68 items in the mandatory list. Officials said they have been getting representations from consumer organisations, users and manufacturers to look at tightening of standards. Following this, standards regarding information technology, steel, electrical products, as well as food and cooking items, are being considered for inclusion in the mandatory list. A final list would be soon sent for feedback from the industry before incorporating them on the mandatory list, officials said.
So far 16 grades of steel have been sanctioned to be included in the new mandatory list, which will be notified once feedback for other items such as electric bulbs, geysers and switches, IT services such as those for banking and taxation is received. The pressure cooker too may find its way into the list. "A product is made mandatory by the government of India after various ministries request for the same. An item is included in the mandatory list only if it is found to impact consumer health and safety, is of security concern to the nation, or is an item of mass consumption," said an official of Bureau of Indian Standards.
The move is aimed at protecting the common man from the dumping of inferior quality products as noticed in the case of imports from China, said an official. However, Indian manufacturers will also have to comply with the standards once the new items are included in the mandatory list. This upgradation is also a part of the process to harmonise domestic standards with international benchmarks, officials said. They added that as per WTO norms, domestic standards should be at par with standards for import.
Along with this, the government is also planning to bring into operation centres of research in institutes like National Law School of India University and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade for research, training and dissemination of information on consumer protection regarding imported items as well as to organise seminars to raise consumer awareness. The government is also studying content declaration and labelling requirements of import items of consumer interest with an aim to tighten them.
Source: Financial Express
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