Karnataka HC Backs Quality Standards for 'Make in India' Plastic Exports

Bengaluru, Jan 23 (KNN) The Karnataka High Court has ruled that for products under the 'Make in India' program seeking export with the 'Made in India' tag, stringent quality measures from the initial stages are crucial to meeting global standards.

In a recent order, Justice M Nagaprasanna dismissed a petition filed by the All-India HDPE PP Woven Fabric Manufacturers Association, challenging specific quality standards set by the Centre for plastic manufacturers.

Justice Nagaprasanna emphasised that ensuring quality from the outset is essential for India to compete effectively with other nations under the 'Make in India' initiative.

“A step towards that will not be interfered with by this court except if the step depicts palpable and demonstrable arbitrariness, which is neither pleaded nor present,” the judge said, adding: “Except contending cartelisation and nexus, no other submission has been made. These submissions are untenable.”

In the domain of plastic manufacturing, quality control involves monitoring and inspecting various stages of production to ensure that final plastic products meet specified quality standards.

The judge highlighted that bringing every raw material under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is intended to produce a high-quality final plastic product that is safe for the environment, public use, and complies with health and safety standards.

Referring to notifications from April 15, 2021, and September 26, 2023, the court emphasised that quality control should adhere to Indian standards, and the BIS seal should be obtained through a license from the BIS.

The petitioner argued against the imposition of such clauses on the supply of raw materials, claiming it would create a monopoly.

However, Deputy Solicitor-General H Shanthi Bhushan, representing the central government and Competition Commission of India (CCI), refuted the claim that only one player existed in the market.

Justice Nagaprasanna clarified that the impugned notifications aim to achieve a BIS seal on every raw material used in the manufacture of a final product.

Recognising the BIS as a national standards body, the judge stated that the court, exercising its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, would be reluctant to interfere with the government's policy decision, particularly concerning economic and quality standards. The petition was ultimately rejected.

(KNN Bureau)