BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDSCentral
Section 9 of The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
- (1)The powers and duties as may be assigned to the Bureau under this Act shall be exercised and performed by the Governing Council and, in particular, such powers may include the power to—
- (a)establish branches, offices or agencies in India or outside;
- (b)recognise, on reciprocal basis or otherwise, with the prior approval of the Central Government, the mark of any international body or institution, on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the Bureau in relation to any goods, article, process, system or service at par with the Standard Mark for such goods, article, process, system or service;
- (c)seek recognition of the Bureau and of the Indian Standards outside India on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the Bureau with any corresponding institution or organisation in any country or with any international organisation;
- (d)enter into and search places, premises or vehicles, and inspect and seize goods or articles and documents to enforce the provisions of this Act;
- (e)provide services to manufacturers and consumers of goods or articles or processes for compliances of standards on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon;
- (f)provide training services in relation to quality management, standards, conformity assessment, laboratory testing and calibration, and any other related areas;
- (g)publish Indian Standards and sell such publications and publications of international bodies;
- (h)authorise agencies in India or outside India for carrying out any or all activities of the Bureau and such other purposes as may be necessary on such terms and conditions as it deems fit;
- (i)obtain membership in regional, international and foreign bodies having objects similar to that of the Bureau and participate in international standards setting process;
- (j)undertake testing of samples for purposes other than for conformity assessment; and
- (k)undertake activities relating to legal metrology.
- (2)The Bureau shall take all necessary steps for promotion, monitoring and management of the quality of goods, articles, processes, systems and services, as may be necessary, to protect the interests of consumers and various other stake holders which may include the following namely: —
- (a)carrying out market surveillance or survey of any goods, article, process, system or service to monitor their quality and publish findings of such surveillance or surveys;
- (b)promotion of quality in connection with any goods, article, process, system or service by creating awareness among the consumers and the industry and educate them about quality and standards in connection with any goods, article, process, system and service;
- (c)promotion of safety in connection with any goods, article, process, system or service;
- (d)identification of any goods, articles, process, system or service for which there is a need to establish a new Indian Standard, or to revise an existing Indian Standard;
- (e)promoting the use of Indian Standards;
- (f)recognising or accrediting any institution in India or outside which is engaged in conformity certification and inspection of any goods, article, process, system or service or of testing laboratories;
- (g)coordination and promotion of activities of any association of manufacturers or consumers or any other body in relation to improvement in the quality or in the implementation of any quality assurance activities in relation to any goods, article, process, system or service; and
- (h)such other functions as may be necessary for promotion, monitoring and management of the quality of goods, articles, processes, systems and services and to protect the interests of consumers and other stake holders.
- (3)The Bureau shall perform its functions under this section through the Governing Council in accordance with the direction and subject to such rules as may be made by the Central Government.
Summary
- The Governing Council is the body that exercises the powers and performs the duties of the Bureau.
- The Bureau can establish offices or agencies inside India or in foreign countries.
- It has the power to search premises or vehicles and seize goods to enforce the law.
- It provides training and consultancy services to help manufacturers follow quality standards.
- The Bureau conducts market surveillance and surveys to monitor product quality and publishes the results.
- It is responsible for promoting safety and identifying when new standards need to be created.
Practical examples
1The Bureau conducts a surprise survey of bottled water brands in Delhi in October 2026 and publishes a report showing which ones failed safety tests.
2To help local exporters, the Bureau opens a representative office in Dubai to coordinate on international quality certificates.
FAQ
1. Can the Bureau search a truck carrying suspicious goods?
Yes, the Bureau has the power to enter and search vehicles to enforce the Act.
2. Does the Bureau only make standards, or do they also teach people?
They also provide training services in areas like quality management and laboratory testing.
3. Can the Bureau check products already being sold in shops?
Yes, they carry out market surveillance and surveys to monitor the quality of goods and services.
4. Does the Bureau work with international bodies?
Yes, it can seek recognition of Indian Standards outside India and join international standard setting groups.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 9 of The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016., which body is responsible for exercising the powers and duties assigned to the Bureau?
Q2.According to Section 9 of The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016., what power does the Bureau have regarding enforcement?
Q3.Under Section 9 of The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016., how can the Bureau monitor the quality of goods already in the market?
Q4.Under Section 9 of The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016., what can the Bureau do regarding international standards?