Quality Consciousness Crucial to Global Competitiveness, Consumer Affairs Secretary Emphasizes

India Seeks to Bolster Manufacturing Ecosystem with Emphasis on Quality

Indian manufacturers have been urged to prioritize quality consciousness in their operations to remain competitive in the global market. Speaking at a national conference organized by the PHDCCI, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare highlighted the importance of quality in the modern economy. Khare emphasized that India has a historic opportunity to emerge as a trusted global manufacturing hub under the vision of Make in India.

In the current global economy, competitiveness is determined not only by cost or scale, but increasingly by quality, safety, reliability, and standards compliance. Khare stressed that Quality Control Orders (QCOs) have become essential instruments for strengthening India's manufacturing ecosystem. QCOs contribute to consumer safety, improve product reliability, facilitate fair trade practices, and help prevent the import of substandard goods, thereby strengthening India's overall quality ecosystem and contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

As of the current date, 723 products have been notified for compulsory BIS certification. Khare emphasized the importance of quality control measures in promoting quality-conscious manufacturing.

Read also: Treasury Yields Experience Largest Increase in Two Weeks Following Release of Labor Market Data

PHDCCI Manufacturing Committee Chair and Haryana Wires Managing Director Sunil Mangla expressed concerns about the need for BIS standards to be globally recognized. Mangla stated that the US requires UL or NRTL-type certification, Europe uses CE and related standards, while Japan uses JIS. BIS certification does not automatically replace these standards in international markets. As a result, exporters face hurdles, and the government must work to make BIS standards globally recognized.

Mangla also highlighted the lengthy product testing timelines as a major barrier. Certification currently takes three to four months. He suggested expanding the testing labs quickly or evaluating and certifying reliable private labs to handle testing.

Khare responded positively to the demand and directed her office to prepare a list of certifiable private labs within 15 days.

Industry leaders, including JK Tyre and Industries Managing Director and PHDCCI Manufacturing Committee Co-Chair Anshuman Singhania, emphasized the importance of technology adoption in manufacturing. Singhania noted that technology adoption varies by organization and sector, and is often need-based. At JK Tyre, the company has adopted Industry 4.0, which has boosted productivity, reduced scrap, and added sharpness, transparency, and global competitiveness.

Read also: US-Iran Tensions Spark Uptick in Oil Prices Amid Global Market Decline

Khare stated that BIS is actively modernizing its systems to address smart manufacturing, sustainable production, cybersecurity standards for connected devices, and emerging technologies. She underlined that manufacturing excellence cannot rest on technology alone, and human capital, institutional capacity, quality ecosystems, and ethical business practices are equally critical.

As India seeks to emerge as a trusted global supplier of high-quality, safe, and innovative products, Khare emphasized the importance of quality, standards, innovation, ethics, and consumer-centricity. The journey from Make in India to Make in India for the World will be driven by these key factors.

Comparison of Certification Requirements

Note: BIS certification does not automatically replace UL, CE, or JIS in international markets.