The Government of India is taking decisive steps to strengthen the nation’s quality ecosystem by harmonizing the scope of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for mandatory certification. This initiative aims to curb the circulation of substandard goods while safeguarding the interests of the domestic Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, highlighted this during his address at the celebration of World Standards Day 2025, organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Virtually addressing the event, Shri Joshi emphasized the importance of achieving a sustainable balance between ensuring product quality and supporting the growth of MSMEs. He remarked that the government’s policy direction under the vision of “Reform, Perform, and Transform” has propelled India’s economy from the world’s 10th position to the 4th position within the last eleven years, and the nation is steadily moving toward becoming the third-largest economy by 2028. BIS, he noted, has played a pivotal role in this transformation by aligning Indian standards with international benchmarks.
Standards: The Foundation of Trust and Progress
In his address, Shri Joshi underlined that standards are the foundation of a well-functioning society. They ensure safety, reliability, and trust across products, services, and systems, enabling smooth domestic and international trade while promoting environmental sustainability and consumer protection. By adhering to well-defined standards, India strengthens its manufacturing ecosystem and enhances its global competitiveness.
This year’s World Standards Day theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World,” focuses on Sustainable Development Goal 17 – Partnership for the Goals, emphasizing collaboration to achieve sustainable progress. Shri Joshi commended BIS for adopting global best practices while ensuring that national interests remain central to its operations. He added that new and emerging sectors—such as renewable energy, electric mobility, digital infrastructure, and sustainable materials—are now key priorities in BIS’s standardization roadmap.
Aligning with the Vision of “Zero Defect, Zero Effect”
Reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Zero Defect, Zero Effect, Shri Joshi stated that India must be globally recognized for quality. He urged industries to focus on producing flawless, environmentally sustainable products that represent Bharat’s excellence on the world stage.
Highlighting BIS’s progress, Shri Joshi informed that over 22,300 standards are currently in force and that 94 percent of Indian standards are harmonized with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) benchmarks. He further revealed that the number of standards formulated annually has increased from 407 in 2014 to 1,038 in 2025, and products under mandatory certification have grown from 106 products under 14 QCOs in 2014 to 773 products under 191 QCOs plus two horizontal QCOs in 2025.
Enhancing Consumer Trust through Hallmarking and Transparency
The Minister commended BIS for its remarkable progress in hallmarking gold jewellery and praised the introduction of HUID-marked jewellery, which has significantly enhanced consumer protection and confidence. To further strengthen transparency, a Pilot Project for Capturing the Weight and Photograph of Hallmarked Jewellery was launched during the event.
Under this project, 25 Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) will digitally record the photograph and weight of each hallmarked jewellery piece. The information will be made accessible through the BIS Care mobile app, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity of hallmarked items. The initiative aims to eliminate manual data entry errors and will later be expanded nationwide after the successful completion of the pilot phase.
Digital Transformation in Testing and Learning
In another major step towards modernization, BIS also launched the Integration of Laboratory Equipment with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Through this initiative, over 180 instruments and analytical systems—covering chemical, mechanical, electrical, microbiological, and food testing—have been digitally interconnected. This integration minimizes human intervention, reduces analysis time, and improves data consistency and traceability, thereby enhancing confidence in BIS’s testing and certification processes.
BIS also introduced a Learning Management System (LMS) designed to promote digital learning and capacity building among industry professionals and quality control personnel. The LMS offers online, self-paced certificate courses on Indian Standards and conformity assessment procedures. Participants can access the platform on web and mobile devices, interact with subject experts, and receive verifiable digital certificates upon completion. This digital learning initiative marks a significant step toward developing a skilled, quality-conscious workforce in India.
Launch of National Lighting Code of India: 2025
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the National Lighting Code of India: 2025, which updates and expands upon the earlier 2010 edition. The new code consolidates best practices for designing, selecting, installing, and maintaining lighting systems for indoor and outdoor spaces.
The revised edition, organized into sixteen parts, addresses recent technological advancements such as the shift from fluorescent and halogen lighting to LEDs and solid-state lighting, as well as the integration of IoT-enabled smart systems and renewable energy solutions. It also includes guidelines for specialized lighting applications in healthcare, horticulture, tunnels, and heritage sites. Importantly, the code introduces new areas such as human-centric lighting, UV-based disinfection, and solar-powered systems, aligning with modern sustainability goals.
Towards a Quality-Driven, Self-Reliant India
Minister Joshi urged BIS to continue fast-tracking standardization in national priority sectors and to strengthen consumer awareness, especially in rural areas. He reiterated that quality and innovation are essential pillars of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. He encouraged all stakeholders to actively participate in the Swadeshi campaign and to make Indian products globally competitive through quality excellence.
Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, also addressed the gathering. He praised the contributions of experts and professionals driving India’s standardization movement and lauded the “Standardization Heroes of India” for their role in promoting balanced development of standards and certifications. He emphasized that global standardization fosters collaboration and sustainable economic growth, while India’s active participation in ISO and IEC has significantly enhanced its international standing.
The event was also attended by Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS; Shri Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs; Shri Sanjay Garg, OSD, BIS; and other senior officials.
