Within the domain of food safety and quality standards, regulatory bodies play a crucial role in ensuring that consumers receive products that meet defined quality benchmarks.
In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) stands as a pivotal authority responsible for establishing and certifying standards across various sectors, including the food industry.
Recently, there have been significant amendments to the BIS Certification requirements for the food industry, aiming to streamline the regulatory process and enhance the ease of doing business.
Let's delve into these amendments and their implications for stakeholders in the food sector.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, working under the aegis of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.
Established in 1986, BIS formulates and implements standards for goods, services, processes, and systems to ensure their quality, safety, and reliability. It is responsible for the development and certification of standards across various sectors, including the food industry.
The ISI (Indian Standards Institution) Certification, now known as the BIS Certification, is a mark issued by BIS for certain products conforming to the specified Indian standards.
The ISI mark signifies that a product conforms to the Indian Standard specified by BIS and meets the quality and safety benchmarks set by the organization.
It is a mark of trust and assurance for consumers, indicating that the product has undergone rigorous testing and adheres to stringent quality control measures mandated by BIS.
Products bearing the ISI mark are widely accepted in the Indian market and are often preferred due to their perceived reliability and adherence to established standards.
BIS Certification is a legal requirement for certain products, including food and related products, before they get sold in the Indian market to ensure their compliance with established quality and safety standards.
The Bureau of Indian Standards mandates certification for a wide range of food and related products to ensure they meet specified quality and safety standards, including:
The government has recently approved several amendments in food safety and standard regulations, with the aim of streamlining the regulatory process and facilitating ease of doing business.
According to the amendments, only one certification from the food regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) will be required for food products. Certifications from BIS and AGMARK (Agriculture Marketing) will not be needed if these amendments are finalized.
In a statement, the Health Ministry announced that following the finalization of the amendments, only FSSAI certification would be mandatory for food products.
The move is in line with the concept of 'One Nation, One Commodity, One Regulator,' aiming to simplify the regulatory framework and promote ease of doing business.
The amendments also include the approval of a comprehensive manual of methods of analysis for ensuring regulatory compliance of food products.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will release a draft notification on this matter and will invite feedback from stakeholders before concluding the amendments.
These amendments are expected to have a positive impact on the food industry, promoting innovation, competitiveness, and consumer trust.
As stakeholders await the finalization of the amendments and subsequent implementation, it is imperative for food businesses to stay updated and ensure compliance with the evolving regulatory landscape.
As a compliance consultant company, Brand Liaison is committed in assisting manufacturers in obtaining BIS certificates seamlessly and efficiently.
Contact us to stay informed about the updated list of food products that are exempted from BIS Certification.
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