The Lok Sabha has passed a bill that provides for establishing Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the National Standards Body of India and enable the government to bring more products, systems and services under ambit of standardisation. The Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that the government did not want an “inspector raj” but there will be investigations in case of complaints.

The bill, which was passed by voice vote, seeks to replaces the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 and to empower the central government to authorize any other agency having necessary accreditation for the purpose of conformity assessment against Indian standards.

It seeks to allow multiple types of conformity assessment schemes in tune with global best practices and enable mandatory hallmarking of precious metal articles.

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill says it seeks to prevent misuse of standard mark and “provide for compounding of offences and also make certain offences cognizable”.