Indian Quality Standards

Manufacturers often sell their products with a quality mark of a product certification body. Quality marks are meant to communicate the added value of the product. The extra quality may refer to one or more aspects that a consumer may be unsure about. Such aspects can be environmental impact, product quality, safety and hygiene, production standards, the absence of additives or preservatives, etc. Overall, a quality mark gives the consumer a visual and easily identifiable quality assessment tool, originating from a reliable source. Here, Ashok Kanchan, Food Desk, Consumer Voice, acquaints us with the quality marks used in India.

ISI MARK

ISI is a certification marks scheme, operated by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), earlier known as Indian Standards Institute (ISI), under the provisions of BIS Act, 1986. Any product that has the ISI mark is supposed to be of minimum standard and safe for use by consumers.

The ISI mark is both mandatory and voluntary. Some mandatory ISI certification products include cement, electrical appliances, LPG cylinder, Batteries, Oil pressure stove, Automobile Accessories, Medical equipment, steel products, Stainless Steel, Chemicals, Fertilizers,  infant foods and packaged drinking  water. Complete list of mandatory products is listed by BIS.

AGMARK

The Agmark certification is done of agricultural commodities for the benefit of consumers and producers/manufacturers by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, an agency of the Government of India.  There are some 205 different commodities including Pulses, Cereals, Essential Oils, Vegetable Oils, Fruits and Vegetables, and semi-processed products that have to have an AGMARK. The scheme is legally enforced by Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937.

Manufacturers seeking to grade their commodities under Agmark have to obtain a Certificate of Authorization from an Agmark laboratory. For this purpose, they should have adequate infrastructure to process the commodity and access to an approved laboratory for determination of quality and safety factors. The quality of a product is determined with reference to factors such as size, variety, weight, colour, moisture and fat content. The grades incorporated are grades 1, 2, 3 and 4, or special, good, fair and ordinary.

VEGETARIAN AND NON-VEGETARIAN MARKS

As per Food Safety & Standards (Packaging & Labelling) Regulations, 2011:

(i) Every package of ‘non-vegetarian’ food shall bear a declaration to this effect made by a symbol and colour code as stipulated, to indicate that the symbol and colour product is non-vegetarian food. The symbol shall consist of a brown colour-filled circle inside a square with brown outline, having sides double the diameter of the circle.

(ii) Where any article of food contains egg only as non-vegetarian ingredient, the manufacturer or packer or seller may give declaration to this effect in addition to the said symbol.

(iii) Every package of vegetarian food shall bear a declaration to this effect by a symbol and colour code as stipulated for this purpose to indicate that symbol and colour code the product is vegetarian food. The symbol shall consist of a green colour-filled circle, having a diameter not less than the minimum size specified, inside the square with green outline having size double the diameter of the circle.

The symbol shall be prominently displayed

• on the package having contrast background on principal display panel
• just close in proximity to the name or brand name of the product
• on the labels, containers, pamphlets, leaflets, advertisements in any media

Provided also that the provisions of above regulation shall not apply in respect of mineral water or packaged drinking water or carbonated water or alcoholic drinks, or liquid milk and
milk powders.

For organic products read Organic Certification and Symbols for Organic Food in India

HALLMARK

The hallmarking scheme was launched by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on behest of the Government of India, for gold in the year 2000 and for silver jewelry in 2005. The scheme is voluntary in nature.

Consumers need to look out for the following markings on gold/silver jewelry:

1. BIS Standard Mark
2. Purity in Carat/fineness mark. With reference to gold, the marks are:

• 916 corresponds to 22 carat
• 750 corresponds to 18 carat
• 585 corresponds to 14 carat

3. Assaying and Hallmarking Centre identification mark/Number: The logo of a BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre where the jewellery has been assayed and hallmarked
4. Jeweller’s identification mark: The logo of a BIS-certified jeweller/jewellery manufacturer

Consumers need to look out for the following markings on gold/silver Bullion:

• BIS Standard Mark
• Fineness
• of bullion, bar or Coin in kg. or g
• Name of Manufacturer
• Serial no.

BEE’ STAR LABEL MARK

So as to provide consumers with a reference for energy saving, and thereby cost saving, aspects of electrical household and other equipments, in 2006 the Bureau of Electrical Efficiency (BEE) of Ministry of Power, Government of India, launched a scheme for BEE star on labels. The scheme was invoked for frost-free (no frost) refrigerators, tubular fluorescent lamps, room air conditioners, direct cool refrigerators, distribution transformers, induction motors, pump sets, ceiling fans, LPG stoves, electric geysers and colour TVs.

The BEE star label has been applicable for following electrical products: To sell mandatory products, a minimum 1 Star rating is mandatory.