GTRI released Building Better: India's Path to Superior Quality Infrastructure Report

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The report highlights the key issues and provides insights into how India can enhance its Quality infrastructure.

India’s quality infrastructure includes:
- Standardization, Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and Compulsory Registration Orders (CROs) led by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS),
  - Implemented by BIS, QCOs are mandatory regulatory standards used to ensure that products meet specific quality, safety, and performance standards.
  - CROs are essentially QCOs with additional requirement for pre-registration of a firm with a government agency.
- Conformity assessment: Through third party inspections, and
- Certifications and Accreditation: Coordinated by Quality Council of India.

Key highlights of Report

India has fast tracked issuance of QCOs and CROs but it needs to augment each leg of quality infrastructure.
Since implementation of BIS Act 2016, which simplified the process of notifying specific standards for products, over 140 QCOs have been issued for more than 550 products.
Rapid pace of QCOs created implementation challenges for firms, importers and government agencies.

Significant reduction in import of substandard products.
Noticeable decrease in consumer complaints and product recalls related to safety issues.
Increase in domestic electronics production and R&D spending in related sectors.
Facilitated international trade.

India should seek international accreditation for BIS certifications.
Regulations should balance enforcement with industry capacity.
Support for SMEs should include gradual implementation of QCOs and CROs, financial assistance, and technical guidance.
Regulatory impact assessments should be conducted.