The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), custodian of the ISI quality mark, has launched the internationally recognised environmental management system certification as per the ISO 14000 standards.
This has been done to cope with the growing international emphasis on environment friendly industrial development.
The BIS move will enable Indian companies to get the ISO 14000 mark and make their products acceptable in global markets. The ISO 14000 series of standards, published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in September 1996, provides a structured management approach to handle environmental issues.
The BIS represents India as a participating member on the ISO technical committee, responsible for formulating standards on environmental subjects. It has adopted all the five standards under the ISO 14000 series as national standards.
The BIS has set up a separate division, which would act as the nodal point, for developing this new activity in the country. Over 30 BIS officials have been provided specialised training to undertake assessment and audit for the environmental standards certifications.
According to the BIS, the launch of the environmental management certification scheme marks the beginning of a new phase in quality certification in the country.
Starting from the ISI mark in 1955-56 by the erstwhile Indian Standards Institute, the BIS has introduced in phases several other standards, including the ISO 9000 series covering chemical ceramics, cement, textile, automotives and services. The introduction of ISO 14000 completes the range of certification activities available at the international level.
