Center directs states to apply BIS certification to consumer products

The Center on Monday ordered state governments to apply Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) certification to consumer products while emphasizing the use of digital technology to protect consumer rights and reduce business. pending before the consumer courts.

After inaugurating a one-day workshop on “Consumer Protection in Northern States” held in Chandigarh, Consumer Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh highlighted the role of technology in enhancing the consumer protection ecosystem and the importance of infrastructure and human resources in consumer commissions.

The Secretary said: “Heads of State should ensure that BIS certification is applied on products required for consumer safety,” an official statement read.

He also referred to the time broadcasting project by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) aimed at reducing India’s dependence on Western countries for time accuracy.

Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary at the Department of Consumer Affairs, highlighted the use of digital technology to protect consumer rights, reduce the wait for cases before consumer commissions and the importance of moving towards mandatory e-filing .

She highlighted the department’s work on misleading advertisements, endorsement guidelines, e-commerce platforms and direct selling guidelines, and urged consumers to beware of misleading advertisements on all platforms.

She also educated consumers about gambling, products without BIS certification, and influencers promoting the products, the statement added.

Senior government officials from Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh participated in the workshop.

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