Bill in Lok Sabha to expand ambit of hallmarking of products

NEW DELHI: A bill seeking to expand the ambit of mandatory hallmarking of products, including gold, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

The Bureau of Indian Standard (Amendment) Bill 2012, introduced by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs K V Thomas will empower the government to bring in compulsory certification regime any article or process that it considers necessary from the point of view of health, safety, environment and prevention of deceptive practice.

At present about 77 items, including cement, mineral water and milk products, are certified through mandatory hallmarking under the BIS Act, 1986 for conformity with expected quality levels.

The BIS hallmark, a mark of conformity widely accepted by the consumer, bestows the additional confidence to the consumer on the quality of products like gold jewellery.

Besides mandatory hallmarking, the amendment seeks to introduce registration of relevant standards as an alternative mechanism to the compulsory certification regime to facilitate growth of sunrise sectors like IT and biotechnology and protect consumers from spurious and substandard imports.

It also aims at strengthening the penal provision for better and effective compliance with the provision of BIS Act.

The Bill enhances the quantum of fine from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh for violating the provisions of the legislation.

It also empowers the BIS to grant, renew, suspend or cancel registration to maintain standards.