BIS Strengthens Global Standardization Ties with Africa & Latin America

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently hosted a high-level roundtable discussion to enhance collaboration in standardization with African and Latin American nations. Over 25 countries participated, including Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and key representatives, alongside officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, and Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General, BIS, led the discussions. Highlighting BIS’s role in ensuring product quality and safety, Smt. Khare emphasized the significance of harmonized standards in facilitating international trade and strengthening quality infrastructure.

India’s commitment to global standardization is reflected in its active participation in ISO and IEC. With seven decades of expertise, BIS has been instrumental in setting international benchmarks. Through the ITEC program, BIS has conducted capacity-building initiatives benefiting 30 African and 10 Latin American nations. Additionally, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been established to promote knowledge-sharing.

Khare encouraged developing nations to adopt Indian standards instead of creating new frameworks, leveraging BIS’s expertise in National Building Codes (NBC) and National Electrical Codes (NEC). Representatives from participating countries acknowledged BIS’s contributions and expressed keen interest in strengthening cooperation.

This initiative reinforces India’s leadership in global standardization, fostering trade, infrastructure development, and regulatory excellence.

Source: PIB