New Delhi: To ensure strict compliance, with the BIS standards the draft amendment Bill proposes that “any organisation which contravenes any provision of the Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to one year, or a fine which may extend up to Rs 5 lakh, or with both”.
“The objective of the Amendment Bill for BIS Act of 1986 is to ensure that Indian products are acceptable in the international market, as the proposed National Standards Body will seek membership of similar international agencies. Furth-ermore, a large number of products, 19,000 to begin with, including handmade and imported, will have to have a BIS label to safeguard the interests of consumers,” said a senior official.
Also, the draft bill says that for articles or goods sold which do not conform to the relevant standard, the “Bureau shall give direction for rep-air/replacement; or pay compensation to the consumers; or be liable for the injury caused by non-conforming goods or articles”.
The draft bill also seeks a mandatory hologram on all goods sold under the BIS label in India. “No authorised seller shall sell any specified goods unless they are marked with a hologram in a manner that is specified.”
