Tag: Bureau of Indian Standards

Conformity to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Mandatory for Stainless Steel and Aluminium Utensils

 In a significant move to enhance kitchen safety, quality, and efficiency, the Government of India has mandated conformity to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stainless steel and aluminium utensils. According to the Quality Control Order issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on March 14, 2024, the ISI mark would be compulsory for such utensils. Non-compliance is punishable, emphasising the government’s commitment to consumer safety and product integrity.

Recently, the BIS has developed a range of standards covering essential kitchen items. These standards reflect the BIS’s commitment to ensuring that all kitchen utensils meet stringent criteria and adhere to the quality and safety benchmarks. By introducing these standards, the BIS aims to uphold cultural diversity in culinary practices while promoting superior product performance and consumer safety.

Stainless Steel Utensils: Durability and Elegance

Stainless steel utensils have long been favoured in kitchens worldwide for their durability, versatility, and sleek appearance. Comprising an alloy of steel with chromium and other metals such as nickel, molybdenum, and manganese, stainless steel is renowned for its enhanced corrosion resistance and robust mechanical properties. The BIS has codified these attributes in the Indian Standard IS 14756:2022, which specifies the requirements for various types of utensils used in cooking, serving, dining, and storage.

The IS 14756:2022 standard encompasses:

  • Material Requirements: Ensuring the safe composition of materials used in manufacturing.
  • Shapes and Dimensions: Providing uniformity and practicality in utensil design.
  • Workmanship and Finish: Mandating high-quality craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal.
  • Performance Parameters: Including tests
  •  like the staining test, mechanical shock test, thermal shock test, dry heat test, coating thickness test, nominal capacity test, flame stability test, and specific tests for utensils with tempered glass lids.

Aluminium Utensils: Lightweight and Efficient

Aluminium utensils are another cornerstone of both household and professional kitchens, valued for their lightweight nature, excellent heat conductivity, affordability, and durability. The BIS has developed the Indian Standard IS 1660:2024, which outlines the specifications for wrought and cast aluminium utensils up to 30 litres in capacity including hard anodized and non-stick unreinforced plastic coating. This standard ensures that aluminium utensils meet the highest material quality and performance standards.

Key elements of the IS 1660:2024 standard include:

  • General Requirements: Covering the overall quality and thickness of materials used.
  • Classification and Material Grades: Ensuring the use of appropriate grades as per IS 21 for wrought utensils and IS 617 for cast utensils.
  • Fabrication and Design: Detailing the shapes, dimensions, and workmanship needed for high-quality utensils.
  • Performance Tests: Including specific tests for aluminium lunch boxes to ensure durability and safety.

Similar to stainless steel utensils, aluminium utensils are also subjected to the mandatory certification as per the Quality Control Order dated March 14, 2024. This ensures that no person can manufacture, import, sell, distribute, store, hire, lease, or exhibit for sale any aluminium utensils that do not meet the BIS standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark. Violations of this mandate are subject to legal penalties, reinforcing the importance of compliance in safeguarding public health and maintaining trust in kitchenware products.

Ensuring Quality and Consumer Confidence

The BIS’s stringent standards for stainless steel and aluminium utensils represent a significant step towards ensuring that kitchenware used in homes and professional settings across India meets the highest safety and quality criteria. By implementing rigorous testing and certification processes, the BIS helps protect consumers from substandard products and ensures that utensils are both safe to use and built to last.

These measures enhance consumer confidence and encourage manufacturers to adhere to best practices in production, leading to overall improvements in the industry. The BIS Standard Mark serves as a reliable indicator of quality, guiding consumers in making informed choices and fostering a culture of excellence and safety in kitchenware.

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Bureau of Indian Standards notifies 31 Indian standards related to Ayush herbs and products

 The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standard body of India, mandated for the development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification has taken an important step in a new push for standardization in the field of Ayush. BIS has notified 31 Indian standards related to Ayush, which includes 30 herbs and 1 product (stainless steel neti pot). These standards were recently published through gazette notification. BIS has also created an additional department for enabling dedicated focus on Ayush at BIS.

Ministry of Ayush appreciates this step and believes that this endeavor by BIS for development of standards and accreditation/certification of Ayush will augment international trade by ensuring quality of products & services, provide confidence to the manufactures and bring benefits to consumers in terms of reducing costs, enhancing performance and improving safety.

Recently, BIS has added another pillar to its robust structure of standardisation in India by establishing an additional department with a dedicated focus on Ayush at BIS. It is believed that the move will not only provide an impetus to the process of standardization but also will aid Ministry of Ayush objectives to ensure quality of Ayush products and services at all levels.

BIS has also taken the initiative to formulate International Standards in collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). On the advice of BIS, a Working Group (WG–10) on ‘Traditional Medicine’ has been created in the ISO/TC-215 ‘Health Informatics’.

The globalisation and increasing usage of traditional systems of medicine, the need for national and international standards for Ayush systems has become imperative. Ministry of Ayush has been consistently working to create a vibrant quality ecosystem to facilitate trade and ensure the availability of quality products and services to consumers both at the national and global levels.

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Bureau of Indian Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. It operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. BIS is responsible for the formulation, promotion, and implementation of standards across various sectors to ensure quality, safety, and reliability of products, services, and systems.

Key functions and responsibilities of the Bureau of Indian Standards:

  1. Standardization: BIS formulates and publishes Indian Standards (IS) across a wide range of products, processes, and services to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency. These standards cover various sectors, including agriculture, engineering, consumer goods, chemicals, and more.

  2. Certification and Marking: BIS provides product certification services through the ISI mark, a certification mark used to indicate conformity to Indian standards. The ISI mark signifies adherence to quality and safety standards set by BIS.

  3. Product Testing and Quality Assurance: BIS operates laboratories and testing facilities to evaluate products against established standards, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and performance requirements.

  4. Consumer Protection: It plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumer interests by ensuring the quality and reliability of products and services available in the market.

  5. Promotion of Standards Adoption: BIS promotes the adoption of Indian Standards by industries, manufacturers, and service providers to enhance competitiveness, facilitate trade, and protect consumer interests.

  6. International Cooperation: BIS collaborates with international standards organizations, participating in standardization activities, mutual recognition agreements, and harmonization of standards to align with global best practices.

  7. Education and Awareness: BIS conducts training programs, workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders about the importance of standards compliance and quality assurance.

BIS plays a vital role in setting benchmarks for quality and safety, ensuring consumer protection, and promoting trade and industry competitiveness by establishing and maintaining relevant standards across diverse sectors of the Indian economy.