Article:
India is set to host the 44th iteration of the ISO COPOLCO Plenary in New Delhi, taking place from 23-26 May 2023. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will spearhead the organisation of this event, an initiative of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
Understanding ISO COPOLCO Plenary
ISO COPOLCO, or the Committee on Consumer Policy, is a committee under the banner of the International Organisation for Standardisation. It is designed to ensure that consumer needs are taken into account when developing new standards. As a result, it promotes active consumer involvement throughout the standardisation process.
The ISO COPOLCO Plenary is pivotal in shaping international standards, which have wide-reaching effects on individuals worldwide. This event encourages cooperation amongst ISO member countries and develops strategies for the fast-paced advancement of standards.
The importance of the ISO COPOLCO Plenary lies in its objective to address challenges related to consumer engagement, sustainable futures, and legal safeguards for consumer protection. It serves as an avenue for high-ranking speakers, including ministers and distinguished personalities, to discuss matters relevant to consumers.
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)
ISO is an international body concerning standard development, comprised of representatives from national standards organisations of member countries. It produces and publicises standardisation across all technical and non-technical fields. Exceptionally, electrical and electronic engineering falls under the purview of the IEC. ISO was officially established in 1947.
The global headquarters of ISO is situated in Geneva, Switzerland, and operates in English, French, and Russian. Independently, the non-governmental international organisation maintains its membership with 168 national standards bodies.
India’s Contribution to International Standardisation
India has been actively contributing to international standardisation initiatives and was a founding member of ISO. The BIS operates as the National Standards Body of India and engages in international and regional standardisation initiatives. BIS is affiliated with ISO, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and regional standards bodies such as the Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC) and the South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) within the IBSA framework.
Overview of the Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s National Standard Body, responsible for the harmonious progression of standardisation activities, quality certification of goods, and marking. Established by the BIS Act, 1986 which took effect in December 1986, a new BIS Act was introduced in 2017.
The BIS operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. It has continually contributed to India’s economy in numerous ways by ensuring the safety and reliability of quality goods, minimising consumer health risks, endorsing exports and imports substitutes, and controlling the proliferation of varieties through standardisation, certification, and testing.
(Source: PIB)
