BIS SDO Recognition Scheme

• 02 Jun 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO) of Indian Railways has become the first Institution to be declared a Standard Developing Organization (SDO) under One Nation One Standard mission of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

• RDSO took the initiative to seek recognition as a Standard Developing Organization (SDO) under the BIS SDO Recognition Scheme.

Research Designs & Standards Organization

• It is the sole R&D Wing of the Ministry of Railways, is one of India’s leading Standard formulating bodies undertaking standardization work for the railway sector situated in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • The idea of One Nation One Standard Mission was first conceived in 2019, it was envisioned on the line of one nation, one ration card scheme in order to ensure quality products in the country.
  • To attain the One Nation One Standard vision of the Government of India, BIS launched a scheme which provides for Recognition of SDO.
    
    • The recognition is valid for 3 years and will require renewal after completion of the validity period.
• Objectives:
  
  • Aggregating and integrating the existing capabilities and dedicated domain specific expertise available with various organizations in the country engaged in standards development in their specific sectors.
    
    • The idea is to develop one template of standard for one given product instead of having multiple agencies set it.
  • Enable convergence of all standard development activities in the country resulting in One National Standard for One Subject.
    
    • This will help in establishing in the long run Brand India. This will also ensure market relevance for the Indian standards.
• Other Initiatives of BIS:
  
  • BIS-Care App:
    
    • With this app, consumers can check the authenticity of the ISI-marked and hallmarked products and lodge complaints.
  • Covid-19 Standards:
    
    • BIS developed Covid-19 standards for Cover-all and Ventilators and issued norms for grant of licence for N95 Masks, surgical masks and eye protectors which has resulted in an increased production of ISI-marked Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) items.
  • Quality Control Orders:
    
    • BIS has been playing an important role in the formulation of Quality Control Orders (QCO) to make the standards mandatory.
  • Portal for Consumer Engagement:
    
    • BIS is developing a portal on Consumer Engagement, which will facilitate the online registration of Consumer Groups, submission of proposals and approval thereof and complaint management.

Bureau of Indian Standards

• It has been established for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It was established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 which came into effect in December 1986. It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• A new Bureau of Indian standard (BIS) Act 2016 has been brought into force with effect from October 2017.
  
  • The Act establishes the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National Standards Body of India.

Source: PIB