EU keen on investing in testing labs; awaits BIS Act changes

With India proposing to bring key changes to the BIS Act, the European Union today said it wants to explore investment opportunities for setting up a network of international quality labs here.
In a meeting with the Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, EU Ambassador Joao Cravinho discussed the investment opportunities and areas of cooperation that the EU block can have with India after the proposed amendments to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act.
"I got opportunity to learn the key changes that India is introducing in the BIS Act. The EU and India can work together to ensure quality standards. There are opportunities for us to work with India," Cravinho told reporters after the meeting.

The ministry has proposed key amendments to the BIS Act -- a shift from inspection-based conformity of standards to self-declaration conformity and expanding the list of products to 2,300 from 92 at present.
The changes proposed are expected to help in successful implementation of the 'Make in India' campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ministry has also proposed to bring 'services' under the quality standards compliance.

Demand for more quality inspection labs is expected to go up sharply after the government brings in self-declaration of conformity of standards.
"The EU is known for having good quality labs and it sees investment opportunities in India for setting up of a network of international labs," said an official.

Later, in an official statement, the ministry said the EU has been invited to collaborate in quality assurance programme and development of mandatory standards for various consumer services and products.
"Under Sawachh Bharat Mission, BIS is developing mandatory standards for garbage disposal and supply of potable water. Quality assurance programme for food products of mass consumption. The EU European Union can collaborate in these ventures," the release said.
India is one of the largest trading partners of the EU. The partnership can be further strengthened by sharing expertise and experience in fields like quality upgradation of labs and standardisation of consumer services and products, it release said.