Lok Sabha passes Bill to include services and process in ambit of BIS

A Bill to extend the ambit of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to include services, processes and products while ensuring production of world class goods in line with the best global practices was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

The Bureau of Indian Standards Bill, 2015, adopted by a voice vote, proposes to make BIS a national standards body, introduce mandatory hallmarking of precious metal, prevent misuse of Standard marks and provide for recall of ISI marked products not conforming to relevant standards.

Once the Bill is approved by Parliament, the BIS would get the legislative backing to formally represent India abroad. At present, the BIS is not formally recognised as a national standards body of the country, though it has been representing India in various international bodies.

Replying to debate on the Bill, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, "It is in national interest and it will help in promoting 'Make in India' and 'Made in India'... It is a historic Bill as the issue was pending for over 30 years now."

Responding to a question as to why BIS should not be made totally independent, Paswan said, some relationship with government has to be maintained as both public and private sector manufacturing companies co-existed. To protect the interests of the consumer, the Minister said "We are trying to bring a Bill for Consumer Protection."

Cutting across party lines, members supported the bill and welcomed the move of the government to grant formal recognition to BIS to enable it to formally represent India abroad.

After becoming law, the bill will allow multiple types of conformity assessment schemes in tune with global best practices, said the statement of objects. The Bill will also empower the Centre to authorise any other agency having necessary accreditation for the purpose of conformity assessment against Indian standards.

Extending support to the Bill, K V Thomas (Cong) said the Bill is a fitting tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had brought in the Consumer Protection Act in 1986 and BIS Act 1986.