Bureau of Indian Standards convened a meeting to review BIS laboratory activities. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan. BIS has the mandate to lead and co-ordinate the conformity assessment activities in the country to meet the emerging needs and expectations of Indian industry, government, consumers and relevant stakeholders. It is also important for BIS to ensure that India is able to influence and play a leading role in the international fora bringing its testing capabilities in line with the best in the world.

During the meeting, the testing requirements of the industry and BIS in particular was deliberated upon. It was felt that the BIS lab facilities must be upgraded with latest technology to enhance the pace of quality testing and also making it industry friendly. Inputs from private players were taken into consideration to understand the requirements and demand for carrying high quality testing of products.

Lauding the efforts of BIS, Paswan said that all departments such as BIS, FSSAI and other pertaining ministries must synergise and work in coordination to prevent overlapping of work. He stressed on the need to increase the monitoring process of standardised products. “It is the duty of all departments and respective ministries to ensure that standards are being followed by the products available in the market. Our products should meet international standards and the testing facility should be matched as well,” he said.