The report highlights the key issues and provides insights into how India can enhance its Quality infrastructure.
- India’s quality infrastructure includes:
- Standardization, Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and Compulsory Registration Orders (CROs) led by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS),
- Implemented by BIS, QCOs are mandatory regulatory standards used to ensure that products meet specific quality, safety, and performance standards.
- CROs are essentially QCOs with additional requirement for pre-registration of a firm with a government agency.
- Conformity assessment: Through third party inspections, and
- Certifications and Accreditation: Coordinated by Quality Council of India.
- Standardization, Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and Compulsory Registration Orders (CROs) led by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS),
Key highlights of Report
- India has fast tracked issuance of QCOs and CROs but it needs to augment each leg of quality infrastructure.
- Since implementation of BIS Act 2016, which simplified the process of notifying specific standards for products, over 140 QCOs have been issued for more than 550 products.
- Rapid pace of QCOs created implementation challenges for firms, importers and government agencies.
Impact of QCOs
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Recommendations for improving Quality Infrastructure
- India should seek international accreditation for BIS certifications.
- Regulations should balance enforcement with industry capacity.
- Support for SMEs should include gradual implementation of QCOs and CROs, financial assistance, and technical guidance.
- Regulatory impact assessments should be conducted.
