The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is dedicated to ensuring the quality of products and services in India. The Indian Standards formulated by BIS serve as the foundation for Product Certification Schemes, offering third- party assurance of product quality to consumers. To strengthen the country’s quality eco system, the Government of India has issued various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that mandate BIS certification for a range of products including industries and construction sectors. Under the provisions of BIS Act, 2016, products for compulsory BIS certification are notified by the concerned regulator/line ministry of Government of India through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) under various considerations viz. public interest, protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices and national security. Through the issuance of QCOs, the notified products shall conform to the requirements of the relevant Indian Standard including safety standard and the manufacturers of these products have to compulsorily obtain certification from BIS. So far, a total of 187 Quality Control Order’s covering 769 products have been notified for compulsory certification of BIS by various regulators/line ministries of Government of India, the list of which is available at https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/products-under-compulsory-certification/.

Additionally, the following two horizontal QCO’s exclusively for safety aspects of products are also notified by Government of India:

1. Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2024 issued by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Through the QCO, all electrical appliances intended for household, commercial or similar applications with rated voltage not exceeding 250 V single phase alternating current or 415 V three phase alternating current and which do not fall under the scope of any other Quality Control Order issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act are covered under compulsory certification of BIS.
2. Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 issued by Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. Through the QCO, 20 categories of Machinery and electrical equipment’s and their sub-assemblies / components are covered under compulsory certification of BIS

Branch Offices of BIS have conducted Manak Manthans on the subject Labour Safety at Workplace in different cities like Gwalior, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Hubli, Chennai, Dehradun. These sessions facilitated discussions among stakeholders, including government bodies, industries, and standard organizations, to improve safety practices at the workplace and raised awareness about labour safety standards and promoting their implementation.

Workplace safety is a critical component of occupational health, ensuring employee well-being and reducing risks that may lead to injuries or fatalities. The introduction and adherence to newly developed safety standards provide comprehensive guidelines for mitigating workplace hazards. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established various Indian Standards on Respiratory Protection, Fall Prevention, and Fire Safety to enhance overall occupational health and safety (OHS), safeguarding workers and fostering a safer working environment.

1. Respiratory Protection Standards and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety: Respiratory protection is crucial in industries such as mining, construction, chemical processing, and healthcare, where workers are exposed to harmful airborne contaminants. The Indian Standards (IS) for respiratory protective devices ensure that workers have access to high-quality protective equipment, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses. Key Indian Standards in Respiratory Protection are given as under:

1. IS 9473: 2002– Respiratory protective devices — Filtering half masks to protect against particles.
2. IS 14166: 1994– Respiratory protective devices – Self-contained open-circuit compressed air breathing apparatus.
3. IS 14746: 1999– Respiratory protective devices – Self-contained closed-circuit breathing apparatus.
4. IS 15803: 2008– Respiratory protective devices – Powered filtering devices incorporating a helmet or hood.
5. IS 10245 (Part 1): 1996– Respiratory protective devices – Self-contained breathing apparatus.
6. IS 10245 (Part 2): 2023– Industrial and firefighting self-contained breathing apparatus.
7. IS 10245 (Part 3): 1999– Respiratory protective devices – Chemical oxygen apparatus.
8. IS 10245 (Part 4): 1982– Respiratory protective devices – Industrial and mining oxygen respirators.

2. Fall Prevention Standards and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety: Falls from height are a leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries. The IS 3521 series provides guidelines on personal fall protection systems to mitigate risks in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and warehousing. Key Indian Standards in Fall Prevention are given as under:

1. IS 3521 (Part 1): 2021 – Full-body harnesses.
2. IS 3521 (Part 2): 2021– Lanyards and energy absorbers.
3. IS 3521 (Part 3): 2000 – Self-retracting lifelines.
4. IS 3521 (Part 4): 2021– Vertical anchorage systems.
5. IS 3521 (Part 5): 2021  – Horizontal anchorage systems.
6. IS 3521 (Part 7): 2021 – Connectors.
7. IS 3521 (Part 8): 2021 – Rescue equipment.
8. IS 3521 (Part 9): 2021 – Anchorage devices.

3. Fire Safety Standards and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety: Fires pose a significant threat to workplace safety, particularly in industries handling flammable materials. The implementation of stringent fire safety standards ensures that workers are adequately protected from burns, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related hazards. Key Indian Standards in Fire Safety are given as under:

 

1. IS 16890: 2024  – Firefighter suits.
2. IS 16874: 2018 – Firefighter gloves.
3. IS 15683: 2018 – Fire extinguishers.
4. IS 2745: 1983 -  Non - Metal helmet for firemen and Civil Defence personnel
5. IS 18582 (Part 6): 2024 - Foot wear used by Firefighters

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri B.L. Verma in a written reply today in the Rajya Sabha.

 

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Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

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