Context:
Bureau of Indian Standards released Working Draft on E-Commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):
- National Standards Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016.
- Objective – Harmonious development of the activities of standardisation, and quality assurance of goods and articles.
- Works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
- Composition – 25 members from Central/State Governments, industry, scientific/research institutions, and consumer groups.
- Headquarters – New Delhi, with 5 regional offices in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Delhi.
- Functions –
- International Representation: Represents India in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
- Standards Formulation: Develops, recognizes, and promotes Indian Standards to help industries improve product/service quality.
- Product Certification: Assesses and verifies products to ensure they meet specific standards and regulations.
- Foreign Manufacturers Certification: Allows foreign manufacturers to get BIS certification for their products.
- Importer Standards: Indian importers must apply for a Certification Mark for their products.
- Violation Penalties: Takes action against firms whose products do not meet Indian standards.
- Consumer Awareness: Conducts programs to educate consumers about ISI-marked items and their misuse.
Source: TOI
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Standard Mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes.
2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct: AGMARK is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, assuring that they conform to a set of standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection an attached Office of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare an agency of the Government of India.
