New Delhi, June 23 (KNN) The two-day 3^rd National Standards Conclave to bring awareness on the growing importance of “Standards” in the changing scenario of global trade is beginning today.

The Department of Commerce, Government of India in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and other knowledge partners is organizing the Conclave.

The objective of the two day Conclave is to bring awareness and prepare Industries, Central Government Ministries, State Governments, regulatory/standards setting and conformity assessment bodies on the growing importance of “Standards” in the changing scenario of global trade, the Ministry said in a statement.

The Standards Conclave is being held in the backdrop of diminishing importance of tariffs and rising influence of standards and regulation both in goods and services trade.

It must be recognized that the days of differential standards – low for domestic market and high for exports - are over and if the Indian industry has to survive and thrive, it has to adopt global standards, said the Commerce Ministry.

The Ministries/regulators/state governments have to also realize that their initiatives and schemes have to be built around global standards if they have to succeed in their objectives, it added.

A good standards regime shall fulfil the vision of Prime Minister for “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” and Make in India campaigns. It would also help in preventing flooding of domestic market with unsafe/sub-standard imports at the expense of our domestic industry as well as consumers.

The Conclave will have 9 sessions spread over 2 days including a session on Challenges for MSME sector. (With PIB Inputs)