BIS Notifies Advisory Committee Amendment, Boosts Industry Participation 

New Delhi, Apr 28 (KNN) The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified the Bureau of Indian Standards (Advisory Committee) Amendment Regulations, 2026, introducing changes to the composition of its Conformity Assessment Advisory Committee.

Issued on April 10, 2026, under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, the amendments come with the approval of the Central Government and take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Key change: Industry representation strengthened

A major highlight of the amendment is the inclusion of two representatives from industry, trade and their associations in the advisory committee, enhancing stakeholder participation in standard-setting and conformity assessment processes.

Under the amended regulations, the Conformity Assessment Advisory Committee will include the Director General of BIS as Chairman and the Deputy Director General (Certification), BIS will join as Member-Secretary.

Representatives, of not below Joint Secretary rank, will join from key ministries, including Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Steel, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Consumer Affairs and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

It will also include two representatives from industry and trade associations, one representative from a recognised consumer organisation and any additional members nominated by the Chairman. 

Objective of the amendment

The move is aimed at making the standards ecosystem more inclusive by incorporating industry feedback directly into conformity assessment and certification frameworks.

The inclusion of trade and industry representatives is expected to improve alignment between regulatory standards and practical business requirements, particularly for manufacturing and MSME sectors.

The amendment reflects a continued push by the Bureau of Indian Standards to strengthen institutional mechanisms and ensure that India’s quality standards framework remains responsive to evolving industrial and trade needs.

(KNN Bureau)