In news : Recently, the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said that it’s time to embark on Mission “One Nation One Standard” and make India the leader in setting global benchmarks in setting standardsThis was said by the Minister while reviewing the work of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Background
In the year 2019, the union government stated its proposal to set ‘One nation, one standard’ to ensure quality products and services to consumers on the basis of ‘one nation, one ration card’
Key updates on One Nation One Standard
- The Minister said that while all areas of production and services be included in this national mission, bringing a national uniformity and standardization in all kinds of public procurement and tendering can be an immediate deliverable.
- The Minister said that Industry should be invited for more dialogue, participation and collaboration in this mission of “one nation one standard”.
- Process of granting certification should be kept as simple as possible and duplication of work should be avoided.
- Speaking on occasion the Minister said that lab testing in India should be world standards. Modern equipment and latest technologies should be used there.
- He added that Gap analysis of BIS and Government labs be taken up on priority basis as well.
- It may be noted that in management parlance, gap analysis refers to the comparison of actual performance with potential or desired performance.
- Referring to the issue of different Institutions and PSUs having a variety of non uniform standards, he said that effort should be made to merge different standards under one standard as much as possible.
- The Minister said that Industry should be invited for more dialogue, participation and collaboration in this mission of “one nation one standard”.
- Process of granting certification should be kept as simple as possible and duplication of work should be avoided.
Why should there be One Nation One Standard?
As per the Minister, strength & character of a nation is often exemplified by the standards it sets for the quality of its products and services. It’s time for India to settle for nothing less than the best.
He also said that India should aim to be the world leader in having maximum industrial products under Indian Standards and no one should feel the need to go abroad to get quality certification.
Bureau of Indian Standards
- BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016.
- It is working under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.
- The organisation was formerly the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- It is set up for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith.
