Commerce Secretary calls for the formulation of a National Strategy on Standards and Technical Regulations

Rajeev Kher, Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India called for the formulation of a National Strategy on Standards and Technical Regulations which would prepare India to face Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs). The Commerce Secretary was addressing the Standards Conclave: Role of Standards in International Trade: Challenges, Opportunities and Challenges organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

According to the Commerce Secretary, the biggest problem India has that it does not have an appropriate legislative instrument available to notify and administer technical regulations. He felt that there was a need to identify areas that need to be regulated at the national level in the interest of health, safety, environment, national security and deceptive market practices and develop and/or notify any recognized standard for compulsory compliance. He also suggested that there was a need to prescribe a method of conformity assessment to demonstrate compliance to the prescribed standards as well as establish an agency to oversee the administration of regulations.

During the two day conclave it was pointed out that:

1. The enhancement of standards would not only boost India's exports but also would restrict inferior imports which are causing serious injury to the domestic industry.

2. India needs to upgrade its standards in order to enhance its competitiveness and needs to accept international standards like CODEX, ISO in this regard.

3. There is a need to develop synergy between the BIS and other Indian standard setting bodies and these organizations.

4. Importance of Mutual Recognition Agreements was also highlighted in the conclave.

The two-day Conclave examined issues relating to the role of standards in international trade and use as non-tariff measures, role of standards in the context of WTO Agreement on SPS/TBT, the existing ecosystem on SPS & TBT related Standards/ Technical Regulations/ Regulatory framework/ Conformity Assessment/ Enquiry points and assessment of gaps among others.

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