The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Department of Consumer Affairs has issued an important notification regarding the establishment and revision of several Indian standards. This February, 2025 notification lists newly established standards and revisions to existing standards. It serves as a comprehensive guide to current quality expectations in various sectors, such as agriculture, textiles, food, and construction materials, to name a few.

Overview of the BIS Notification

This notification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduces a series of revised and newly established standards, aimed at improving product quality, safety and consistency. The listed standards cover various industries, including fertilizers, textiles, food products, industrial tools, and more. This update represents a concerted effort to align India's manufacturing and production processes with global quality standards. The standards are important not only for manufacturers and suppliers, but also for consumers, as they ensure that products are safe, effective and meet essential requirements.

Key Aspects of the BIS Notification

The notification focuses on the following:

• Establishment of new standards: Several standards that did not exist earlier have now been formally established to guide manufacturing, safety and quality.
• Revision of existing standards: Many standards have been revised to keep up with advances in technology and industry practices. This revision ensures that India's production systems remain globally competitive and in line with international standards.
• Phase-out of old standards: Some old standards are being phased out, and their revised versions will remain in effect for a certain period of time before being completely withdrawn.
• Implementation date: The notification clearly indicates the date on which each standard is established or revised. This ensures a smooth transition for businesses and industries to adapt to the new rules.

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Importance of BIS Standards

BIS standards are essential to ensure that products manufactured and used in India meet specified standards for safety, quality and performance. The implementation of these standards impacts various industries such as textiles, food processing, packaging and fertilizers. As India moves forward, it is crucial for these standards to keep pace with global changes in technology, consumer demand and environmental concerns. For safety and other reasons, everyone needs to register for BIS certification.

The Impact on Industry Sectors

Agriculture and fertilizers: The agriculture sector sees several updates in the notification, especially regarding fertilizers and agricultural liming materials. New specifications for fertilizers, such as triple superphosphate, have been introduced, which are in line with international standards to ensure the quality of products used in agriculture.

• IS 1013: Triple Superphosphate, Fertilizer Grade - Specifications (Second Revision): This standard ensures that fertilizers meet the required criteria for quality and performance, enhancing agricultural production and sustainability.
• IS 5409: Agricultural liming materials as soil amendments - Specifications (Parts 1 and 2): It addresses the need for consistent quality in soil amendments, which play a significant role in soil health and agricultural production.

Textiles: The textile sector is another sector where several standards have been revised. From handloom cotton coatings to surgical gowns, these standards cover a wide range of products important to various industries.

• IS 1243: Handloom Cotton Coating - Specifications (Second Revision) and similar standards for other handloom products ensure quality and uniformity of textile products in the market.
• IS 17334: Medical/Surgical Gowns and Medical/Surgical Drapes - Specifications: With an emphasis on hygiene and safety, this standard addresses medical textiles, ensuring that products used in healthcare settings meet the required standards.

Food and packaging: Food safety is a key aspect of these revised standards. For example, standards for food-grade chemicals such as calcium saccharin and sodium propionate ensure that only safe and quality-approved substances are used in food products.

• IS 5709: Calcium Saccharin, Food Grade - Specification (Third Revision) and IS 6030: Sodium Propionate, Food Grade - Specification (Second Revision) are examples of standards that protect consumers by ensuring the safety and quality of food ingredients.
• IS 8417: Lubrication - Glossary of Terms (First Revision) ensures clear definitions and terminologies for various lubrication-related products, which are essential for manufacturing and packaging industries.

Construction and industrial tools: Revised standards for construction and industrial tools, such as specifications for cutting saws and welding methods, help improve the safety and efficiency of manufacturing processes.

• IS 3108: Double Action Pruning Saw - Specification (Third Revision) provides guidelines for tools used in landscaping and forestry.
• IS 3600: Welded Joints and Weld Metal - Method of Test (Parts 3 and 5) emphasizes the importance of testing welded joints, ensuring the durability and safety of structures.

Animal care and aquaculture: Standards relating to laboratory animals and aquaculture practices are also important in ensuring the humane treatment of animals and the sustainable farming of aquatic life.

• IS 5701: Code for Breeding, Care, Management, and Housing of Laboratory Animals (Parts 1 and 2) addresses the ethical treatment of animals used for scientific research.
• IS 19091: Good Aquaculture Practices for Sea Cage Farming - Requirements sets guidelines for sustainable and ethical aquaculture practices.

Automotive and engineering equipment: BIS also focuses on standards that govern machinery, equipment and other engineering aspects. From brazing processes to gear calculations, these standards ensure that industrial equipment and tools work efficiently.

• IS 19153 (Parts 2 to 6): These standards pertain to the calculation of load capacity for gears, which is crucial in designing and manufacturing machinery used in various industries.
• IS 19160: Brazing - Specification and Qualification of Brazing Procedures for Metallic Materials ensures that the processes used in brazing meet the necessary safety and quality benchmarks.

Complete List of BIS Standards

The following table lists all the 51 standards mentioned in the BIS notification:

Conclusion

The 2025 notification by BIS presents a detailed and comprehensive update to the Indian standards. These revised standards cover a wide range of industries from agriculture to textiles, food safety and industrial equipment. Setting of new standards and revision of existing standards reflects India's commitment to improve product quality, enhance consumer safety and keep pace with global best practices. Businesses, manufacturers and consumers alike will benefit from these updated rules, which promote safer, more effective and higher quality products. The industry must adhere to these standards to ensure continued success and sustainability in a competitive global marketplace.