(a) whether Bureau of Indian Standards proposed to evaluate and certify the imported items also;
(b) if so, whether it would be mandatory to get ISI certification from BIS on imported items;
(c) if so, whether the sale of non ISI imported items would be checked and importers would be punished; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and further reaction thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI V. SREENIVASA PRASAD)
(a): BIS opened its Product Certification Scheme to overseas manufacturers and importers in September, 1999. Under the provisions of this scheme, foreign manufacturers can seek Certification from BIS for marking their product with ISI mark and Indian importers can also seek BIS Certification for applying ISI mark on the products being imported into the country by them.
(b) It is not mandatory to get ISI Certification from BIS on imported items. However, under quality control orders issued by various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India under Essential Commodities Act, Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, etc. ISI Certification has been made mandatory for 131 items for reasons of health, safety and consumer protection. In such cases, the above Scheme facilitates ISI marking on imported products which are covered under mandatory certification.
(c) & (d): Action against the sale of non-ISI imported products will be governed by the quality control orders providing for mandatory ISI Certification.