By- Sh. Ramesh K, Scientist – E, Director and Head, HRBO, BIS
Standards play an essential role in shaping industries across the globe, ensuring that products and services meet specific criteria of safety, reliability, and performance. From food and healthcare to automotive and construction, adhering to quality standards enables companies to meet minimum requirements necessary for protecting consumers and improving operational efficiency. These standards aren’t just a set of rigid rules but form the backbone of trust between businesses and their customers.
Standards at their core, are tools for improving business operations. By providing a clear framework, they help businesses understand and comply with necessary quality benchmarks. With guidance and support, standards can be used as strategic advantages for businesses. This shift in mindset can significantly improve product quality, enhance customer satisfaction, and foster innovation within industries.
The intent of standards goes beyond profit margins and competition. They exist to guarantee safety, ensure product integrity, and meet fundamental customer expectations. Products that meet or exceed these standards not only satisfy regulatory requirements but also stand out in the marketplace, offering businesses the potential for higher profits and stronger consumer loyalty. Meeting standards can make a company a leader in its industry by signaling to consumers that its products or services are reliable and safe.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as the National Standard Body of India, plays a key role in formulating and ensuring compliance with Indian standards. Established under the BIS Act of 2016, BIS provides a structured approach to standardization, product marking, and quality certification. This not only ensures that products conform to Indian standards but also protects consumers by minimizing health risks and promoting the availability of safe, high-quality goods.
Through its various initiatives, BIS also fosters public awareness of the importance of quality standards. By promoting these standards at the grassroots level—through engagement with Gram Panchayats, for example—BIS ensures that even rural communities understand the importance of adhering to standards when implementing government schemes and programs.
In its ongoing efforts to promote standardization, BIS has undertaken a significant initiative to reach out to over 2.4 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country. These local governing bodies are responsible for executing numerous government programs in rural areas, making them key stakeholders in ensuring that these initiatives meet national standards.
The adherence to quality standards is not merely a regulatory obligation; it is a commitment to safety, quality, and long-term success. Whether in the automotive, food, or healthcare industry, meeting and exceeding these standards sets businesses apart, leading to better products, increased consumer trust, and enhanced profitability.
The writer is Scientist – E, Director and Head, HRBO, BIS