Steel certification plan hits block

NEW DELHI: The Centre’s plan to introduce mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for a slew of steel products has hit a roadblock.

The quality certification agency has expressed its inability to certify steel products, citing shortage of manpower.

“Quality certification in the steel sector would have to wait a bit longer as BIS is not equipped to handle a separate set of products for giving its stamp of quality,” a source in the steel ministry told ET.

The consumer affairs ministry, which initiated the process, is now exploring the possibility of amending the BIS Act to give the responsibility of certifying steel products to states, the source added.