Page 59 - ELT_1st August 2020_Vol 373_Part 3

Government asks BIS to Prescribe Mandatory Standards for
Imported Goods
The Government has asked Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to prescribe
mandatory standards for imported goods, in line with international norms for
quality, in a move that is expected to impact the import of Chinese goods that are
deemed non-essential.
“Recently, Commerce Ministry has given us a list of imports and asked
to frame standards in accordance with international norms to filter quality im-
ports. We are examining the existing norms and upgrading it if needed,” said a
Senior Official at BIS, India’s National Standards Body under the Department of
Consumer Affairs.
BIS, which deals with marking and certification of goods, is also revamp-
ing its website, incorporating quality standards and information about the inter-
national norms to be followed while importing. “The new look website will be
launched soon. It will help manufacturers and importers to know the procedures
and norms to be followed to market any product in India,” the official said.
BIS has more than 25,000 quality standards for different products and
services but only around 150 products are under mandatory certification.
“Most products are under voluntary registration only, which allows im-
port of products not conforming with quality standards. Now, more products
may be put under mandatory certification to discourage import of non-essential
goods. This will promote the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat by relying more on
Domestic Production,” he said.
India imports around 11,500 types of goods every year with commodities
like crude oil, gold, electronic goods, fertilisers, machine tools, plastic goods,
metal, toys and pharmaceutical products topping the chart.
“BIS is formulating technical regulations for at least half of these prod-
ucts for quality imports. Around 400 goods are on our priority list,” he said.
He said that China would be the most affected country under stricter
norms as most of the cheaper imports are from China.
[Source : The Economic Times, New Delhi, dated 24-7-2020]
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EXCISE LAW TIMES  1st August 2020  59