Lok Sabha Question No. 4844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-26
Subject: Policy for Standardisation of Products
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: OM BIRLA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  MARCH,2018

## POLICY FOR STANDARDISATION OF PRODUCTS

## 4844. SHRI OM BIRLA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  initiated  steps  for  formulating  a  national  policy  for standardisation of products;
- (b) if  so, the details thereof along with its aims and objectives and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  extensive  research  regarding  the policy/ guidelines followed in the foreign countries in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether the Government also plans to form a new authority for the supervision and proper implementation of these new standardised norms by the Commerce Sector; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof along with the expected impact of the said national policy on the Government flagship policy of 'Make in India'?

## ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  & (b): The Department of Commerce has been engaged in organizing various standards conclaves to address the issues concerning regulatory ecosystem in the country in a structural manner.  4  National  Standards  Conclaves  and  10  Regional  Standards  Conclaves  (in  states) have  been  organised  since  2014.  In  these  conclaves  various  stakeholders  ranging  from government regulators, inspection agencies, standards developing organizations, state governments and industry associations participate and strategise so as to address the issue of increasing  non-tariff  barriers  in  foreign  markets  as  well  as  situation  of  sub-standard  and counterfeit  imports  into  the  country.  During  the  last  National  Standards  Conclave  held  at New Delhi on 1-2 May 2017, a draft strategy paper titled 'Indian National Standards Strategy (INSS)'  was  discussed  and  now  a  draft  final  strategy  document  has  been  finalized  and  is available in public domain for public comments. INSS  is a comprehensive document with following key objectives i.e. developing a comprehensive ecosystem in India for standards development, using standards as enhancer of competitiveness of Indian goods and services, adopting best practices in standardization, conformity assessment and technical regulations, providing  level  playing  field  to  domestic  industry  and  creating  response  mechanisms  to global developments on standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment practices that impact market access of Indian goods and services.

(c)  &  (d):  INSS  is  the  result  of  deliberations  over  a  four-year  period  from  2014  to  2017 through national and regional standards conclaves that attracted wide participation of experts and  stakeholders  from  Union  and  State  governments,  industry,  regulatory  bodies,  national and  overseas  standards  and  conformity  bodies,  academics  and  international  fora.  The available  standards  strategy  documents  of  other  countries  has  also  been  factored  into  this consultation process so as to be in line with global best practices in this sector.

(e):  Any standard document is a living and dynamic document with an implementation plan to ensure positive outcomes in identified areas like standard development, mandating them in appropriate area along with risk-compatible conformity assessment procedures and enforcement besides others.

(f):    The  approach  is  for  creation  of  a  robust  quality  infrastructures  in  India  with  a harmonized, dynamic and mature standards ecosystem. This is likely to supplement economic growth  through  initiatives  like  'Make  in  India',  'Zero-Defect  Zero-Effect'  and  ensure qualitative  and  standard  exports  from  India  and  regulation  of  sub-standard  and  counterfeit imports.

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