BIS aims to double ISI standard holders to one lakh

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is eyeing to double the strength of ISI licensees to one lakh in next one year with focus being on creating awareness among consumers on safeguarding their interests.
"We have at present 50,000 ISI license holders across the country. And we have now targeted to double the number of licensees by March 2015," BIS' Director General Sunil Soni told reporters here today.
BIS, which is entrusted with the task of formulating standards and certification for products, offers mandatory ISI standards in 90 items and self certification in 50 products.
Acknowledging that there was little knowledge about ISI standards among consumers, he said BIS would lay emphasis on creating awareness among urban and rural areas about the standardisation of products so that they get genuine products.

"We are trying to educate consumers and their protection and how they should safeguard their interest while buying any item," Soni said.
BIS today rolled out a nationwide 'I-Care' programme from here which will be aimed at creating awareness among consumers, consumer protection and their complaint redressals.

A reward scheme has also been launched for people to identify unscrupulous manufacturers and to provide specific information for detection of misuse of BIS standard mark.
"Those who will provide information about misuse of BIS will be eligible for a reward of maximum of Rs 5,000 on successful search and seizure and filing of case in a court of law," an official said.

On being asked about action being taken against fake product makers, he said on an average BIS cancelled 1,000 licenses every year for manufacturing fake items.
Maximum complaints about counterfeit items were received with regard to electronic appliances, he added.