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BIS frames 2 new schemes for importers, foreign producers

Ambarish Mukherjee

NEW DELHI, Dec. 24

THE Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has framed two separate schemes for granting ``certification mark'' licence to Indian importers and foreign manufacturers. This follows the recent Government directive requiring imported items to meet the quality stan dards specifications specified by the BIS.

Accordingly, the BIS has now specified that both the schemes will operate on self-certification basis, whereby the foreign manufacturer/Indian importer is permitted to apply the standard mark on the product after ascertaining its conformity to the Indian standards licensed for.

The BIS, in a note issued for Indian importers and foreign manufacturers, has said that `in the case of Indian importers, an importing unit will be treated as an Indian manufacturer and licence granted and operated in a manner similar to other Indian man ufacturers.

The importing unit should set up fully equipped laboratory for testing the product conformity to Indian standards. The cost of inspection shall be borne by the firm. The BIS may impose any condition to ensure compliance of the product with the given Indi an standards including a visit to the original product manufacturer's premises to assess their in-process quality controls.''

In the case of foreign manufacturers, the BIS has stipulated that each foreign manufacturer ``will have to set up a suitable office located in India with the permission of Reserve Bank of India, which shall meet all liabilities with respect to BIS ACT, r ules and regulations for the purpose of BIS licence. The requirement to set up an office in India shall not apply, if BIS has already entered into a memorandum of understanding with the respective foreign Government for implementation of punitive provis ions of BIS Act.''

Currently, BIS has only two such agreements with the Governments of Nepal and Bhutan.

According to a BIS official, ``this is in compliance with WTO norms. We will allow foreign goods in India only after we are satisfied about their quality for which we will inspect their facilities to assess their in-process quality controls, wherever tha t might be located.''