BIS – Building Industry through Standards

At the national level, the work of preparing and issuing standards is carried out by NSBs. In some countries, NSBs are called “institutions” or “institutes” (e.g. American National Standards Institute, British Standards Institute) and in other “associations” (e.g. Standards Association of Zimbabwe). In India, NSB was earlier named as India Standards Institute (ISI), which was renamed the Bureau of Indian Standards in 1986. One of the main functions of BIS is the development, promotion, and implementation of standards by industry. Apart from standards development, BIS operates various schemes like Product Certification (ISI Mark), Management Systems Certification, Hallmarking of Gold & Silver Jewellery & CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) for the benefit of ordinary consumers.

BIS at the forefront of Industrial Growth in our Country

In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is responsible for the development and compliance of various standards on products or services across all sectors. Let us now look back at the historical significance of how BIS supported some important industries such as pumps and cement in our country.

Pump Industry – The pump industry is the oldest growing industry in the city of Coimbatore. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), previously known as Indian Standards Institution (ISI), has formed a Technical Committee for pumps since its establishment. Notably, in the realm of agricultural pumps, Indian Standards have tackled issues of national significance. In the early 70s with the expansion of agriculture alongside the increased utilization of agricultural pumps exerted considerable pressure on power and fuel resources. In response, norms for minimum efficiency were first introduced in 1979 within the Indian standards for agricultural pumps. This focus on efficiency is particularly remarkable, as otherwise such products used in large numbers would add to great demand on energy production of the nation. Also, remarkably, no other national or International Standards mandate efficiency requirements, giving technical edge Industry.

Cement Industry – Since the Independence, cement in India has remained a controlled commodity for nearly four decades and cement became a 'free commodity' in the year 1989, as these policy decisions had a positive impact on the economy of the cement industry. BIS played a crucial role in ensuring the quality of cement by bringing critical revisions to the Indian standards and the codes of practice that existed at that time, by allowing the use of mineral admixtures, namely fly ash and blast furnace slag, in cement without compromise on its quality. This allowance to use industrial wastes as mineral admixtures has led the cement and construction industry in India on the path of its growth and sustainable development.

It would not be overstating the case to say that the BIS is an important organisation for the development of our economy and has always been at the forefront of industrial advancement.