A new Bureau of Indian standards, BIS, Act 2016 which was notified on 22nd March, 2016, has been brought into effect from 12th October 2017. <br/><br/>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in a release issued today said, the Act establishes the BIS as the National Standards Body of India. <br/><br/>The Act has enabling provisions for the Government to bring under compulsory certification regime any goods or article of any scheduled industry, process, system or service which it considers necessary in the public interest or for the protection of human, animal or plant health or national security. <br/><br/>Enabling provisions have also been made for making hallmarking of the precious metal articles mandatory. <br/><br/>The new Act also allows multiple types of simplified conformity assessment schemes including self-declaration of conformity against a standard which will provide simplified options to manufacturers to adhere to the standards. <br/><br/>The Act enables the Centre to appoint any authority, agency, in addition to the BIS, to verify the conformity of products and services to a standard and issue certificate of conformity. <br/><br/>Further, there is provision for repair or recall, including product liability of the products bearing Standard Mark, however not conforming to the relevant Indian Standard. <br/><br/>Food and Public Distribution Minister said the new Act will further help in ease of doing business in the country, providing enhancement to 'Make In India' campaign and ensure availability of quality products and services to the consumers.