FSSAI to Collaborate with Global Food Regulators for Strengthening Food Safety Systems

WPC
Introduction: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), operating under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is set to host a meeting with international food regulators, including representatives from G20 countries, on July 20-21. The objective of the meeting is to enhance the global food safety system and regulatory framework throughout the food value chain. Recognizing the need for constant adaptation to emerging food hazards and pandemic scenarios, the FSSAI aims to foster a common dialogue on food safety, standards, risk assessment, labelling, and analytical competence.Building a Global Food Safety Network: The FSSAI aims to engage food regulators from approximately 60 countries, encompassing G20 member nations. This gathering will facilitate knowledge sharing and provide insights into the food safety and regulatory frameworks adopted by various countries.…
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Ministry of Environment Secretary Inaugurates Second Batch of IICA Certified ESG Professional Programme

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Introduction: Ms. Leena Nandan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), inaugurated the second batch of the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) Certified ESG Professional: Impact Leader Programme. The event marked a significant step towards building capacity in the field of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Ms. Nandan commended the IICA for its timely initiatives in the ESG domain and reaffirmed the Ministry's support for their efforts.Addressing Climate Change Challenges: During her address, Ms. Nandan emphasized the impacts of climate change and India's commitment to mitigation and adaptation measures. She highlighted the importance of resource efficiency, promoted by the MoEFCC through the adoption of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandate. Ms. Nandan also informed attendees about the MoEFCC's Green Credit Programme and stressed…
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Fake ISI Mark Scandal Uncovered in Chennai: 47 Bottled Water Containers Seized

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Introduction: In a recent raid conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in Chennai, a shocking discovery was made at the Viva Foods and Beverages Unit in Kodambakkam. A team from the BIS Chennai branch office seized a total of 47 packaged drinking water containers bearing counterfeit ISI marks. This incident has raised concerns about the authenticity and safety of packaged drinking water in the region.Details of the Raid: During the operation, officials uncovered 20-litre water containers that were falsely labeled with ISI marks, indicating conformity to Indian quality standards. The containers featured multiple brand names, and BIS license numbers from various manufacturers were also found. It was revealed that the company, Viva Foods and Beverages Unit, was operating without a valid BIS license, thus violating the BIS Act…
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How BIS Certification Impacts Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

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The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a national standard body of India. It is responsible for developing, publishing, and enforcing standards for products, services, systems, and processes. BIS certification is a voluntary scheme that helps businesses demonstrate that their products or services meet certain standards.For SMEs, BIS certification can have a number of benefits. These include:Increased market access: BIS certification can help SMEs gain access to new markets, both domestic and international. This is because many buyers and retailers require products to be BIS certified before they will consider them for purchase.Improved product quality: BIS certification can help SMEs improve the quality of their products. This is because the standards that are set by BIS are based on international best practices.Enhanced brand reputation: BIS certification can help to enhance the brand reputation…
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BIS raids Navi Mumbai unit making illegal safety glass

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Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) officials have conducted a raid on a factory in Navi Mumbai for the second time in three months, uncovering the manufacturing and sale of illegal "safety glass" without BIS authorization. The factory, Future Safety Glass Industries in Rabale, was previously raided on May 8 in a similar case.During the recent raid, the BIS team discovered that the company was once again openly producing and selling toughened glass, a type of safety glass used for architectural and building purposes, without the required BIS certification. According to the Safety Glass Order 2022, all safety glass must be BIS certified in accordance with IS 2553 and display a valid BIS license number along with the BIS standard mark.The seized toughened glass, measuring approximately 517 square meters, was found…
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Haryana government to establish standardization cell for quality improvement and monitoring of construction and procurement

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The Haryana government has announced plans to establish a Standardization Cell within government departments involved in major construction and procurement activities. The purpose of this cell is to improve and monitor the quality of goods used and procured in the state. It will serve as a coordination platform between the state government, industries, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regarding standardization activities.During a State Level Committee meeting on Monitoring Standardization and Quality Systems held in Chandigarh, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal emphasized the active participation of departments in training programs organized by BIS at the nodal officer level. He also stressed the importance of government departments procuring BIS certified products and services. The objective is to create a robust quality ecosystem in the state, encompassing various activities.To facilitate the standardization…
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Footwear manufacturers welcome mandatory BIS norms, seek flexibility for implementation

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Footwear manufacturers have expressed their support for the government's decision to implement mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for footwear products. They acknowledge that these norms aim to ensure superior quality and protect against substandard products, particularly those flooding the market from China. The move is seen as a way to strengthen the domestic industry and promote consumer confidence in Indian footwear brands.However, manufacturers have raised concerns about the rushed implementation of the BIS norms, suggesting that sudden enforcement without sufficient preparation could have negative consequences. They worry that it could lead to significant job losses, especially in small and micro units. Additionally, the sudden order could result in financial losses, including raw materials and already manufactured products.One major concern is the limited scope of the BIS norms and…
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EPR Certification and Reporting: Measuring and Communicating Environmental Performance

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Introduction: In today's world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global agendas, organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of measuring and communicating their environmental performance. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certification and reporting play a pivotal role in this process. This blog explores the significance of EPR certification and reporting in measuring and communicating environmental performance, and how it benefits both businesses and the planet.Understanding EPR Certification: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that holds manufacturers and producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products. EPR certification verifies that businesses comply with regulations and take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products, from production to disposal. This certification ensures that organizations actively contribute to sustainable waste management practices.The Importance of Measuring Environmental Performance: Measuring environmental…
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EPR Certification for Plastic Waste: Tackling the Global Pollution Crisis

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Plastic pollution is a global crisis. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans, rivers, and landfills. This plastic pollutes our environment, harms wildlife, and can even enter our food chain.One way to tackle the plastic pollution crisis is through EPR certification. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. It is a policy approach that assigns responsibility for the end-of-life treatment of products to their producers.Under an EPR system, producers are required to take back and recycle a certain percentage of the plastic packaging they put on the market. This helps to ensure that plastic waste is properly managed and does not end up in the environment.There are many benefits to EPR certification. For one, it helps to reduce plastic pollution. When producers are responsible for…
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BIS Raids Unveil Illegal Safety Glass Manufacturing Unit in Navi Mumbai

WPC
Introduction: In a recent development, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) conducted a raid for the second time in three months on a factory in Navi Mumbai involved in the manufacturing and sale of illegal 'safety glass' without BIS authorization. The authorities raided Future Safety Glass Industries in Rabale suburb, uncovering a blatant violation of BIS regulations. The case underscores the significance of BIS certification in ensuring the safety and quality of glass products.Repeat Offense: During the raid, the BIS officials discovered that Future Safety Glass Industries was once again engaged in the production and distribution of toughened glass, a type of safety glass commonly used in architectural and building applications. However, the company was doing so without the necessary BIS certification, flouting the requirements set forth by the Safety…
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