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Tag: Bureau of Indian Standards

  • The government Releases Draft Guidelines to Increase the Accountability of E-commerce

    In order to safeguard customers against dishonest activities in the quickly growing online retail industry, the Centre has put up draft guidelines for e-commerce platforms that need self-regulation measures. Under the direction of the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) created the draft rules, titled “E-commerce Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance,” and requested feedback from interested parties by February 15.

    According to the draft, the growth of e-commerce has brought forth new difficulties, especially with regard to consumer trust and protection. In this context, it is impossible to overstate the significance of effective and transparent regulations and standards for self-governance in e-commerce. For e-commerce operations, the framework presents three-phase principles that address the pre-transaction, contract generation, and post-transaction phases. Prerequisites for the transaction Businesses should, therefore, perform comprehensive KYC on their business partners, particularly third-party suppliers. In order to assist customers in evaluating the features and usefulness of products, the draft also requires comprehensive product listings that contain the title, identification number, seller contact information, photo, and videos.

    Bringing More Transparency in the Sector

    According to the draft, all e-commerce businesses must document customer consent, permit transaction review, and uphold clear cancellation, return, and refund policies in order to preserve openness. All e-commerce platforms must offer a variety of payment methods, such as bank transfers, e-wallets, mobile payments, and credit/debit cards, in order to ensure safe and equitable payment procedures. Platforms for imported items must prominently disclose information about the importer, packer, and vendor. Platforms are required to document customer permission throughout contract formation, permit transaction scrutiny, and uphold clear cancellation, return, and refund rules.

    Additionally, the proposed regulations require safe payments through the use of two-factor authentication and encryption in payment systems. Additionally, cash-on-delivery needs to be handled according to customer preferences. After the transaction The proposal states that the platform must have distinct policies for counterfeit goods and clearly define the timeframes for exchanges, refunds, and replacements. Additionally, the plan suggests banning the sale of things that are prohibited.

    Giving More Clarity to Seller and Customers

    Along with seller onboarding, the e-commerce company must compile and distribute a list of prohibited products. In addition to the aforementioned recommendations, the document also includes general guidelines, such as conducting business fairly and without giving any seller on the platform preferential treatment. Customers should be made aware of any promotional agreements the e-commerce company may have with brands.

    Amazon and Flipkart, two of the biggest online retailers, are currently at odds with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which has accused them of engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. Furthermore, both businesses have been bypassing laws by using proxy vendors to manage inventories and monitor listings on their platforms, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Additionally, it said that whereas independent traders are forced to pay much higher costs, which distort the competitive landscape, these sellers get lower fees and access to exclusive product launches.

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  • Problems for Ola Electric: A Consumer Watchdog Recommends that Complaints be Looked into

    The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has ordered a thorough investigation into suspected “deficiencies” in Ola Electric’s services and products, particularly with regard to its scooters, indicating further difficulty for the company. This action comes after Ola addressed previous regulatory notifications about outstanding customer complaints.

    Nidhi Khare, the consumer affairs secretary, announced on 14 November 2024 that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been instructed by the top consumer rights regulator to confirm the company’s statements about how it resolves customer complaints.

    The investigation was formally started on November 6, and the BIS director general, acting as the ex-officio Director General of Investigation, has been given 15 days to provide a detailed report.

    Plethora of Complaints Triggered the Investigation

    The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) received 10,644 complaints against Ola Electric between September 2023 and August 2024, which sparked the investigation. According to a response from Ola Electric dated October 21, 99.1% of consumers were satisfied with the company’s complaint resolution procedure. A sample of consumers was then contacted by the CCPA to get their opinions on grievance redressal.

    According to an investigative official, 130 of the 287 customers that the NCH call agents dealt with were dissatisfied with the company’s answer (79.2%). It was merely a sample test to confirm Ola’s claims. Their claim of 99% satisfaction ought to have been mirrored in the cross-verification as well.

    Customers are Not Satisfied With the Resolution

    According to numerous clients, problems continued even after complaints were resolved, and some cases were closed too soon without being satisfactorily resolved, the official continued. Ola Electric insisted in a regulatory filing that it has settled 99.1% of the CCPA’s objections. The company also stated that it had submitted comprehensive responses to a show-cause notice issued by the CCPA on 7 October, which detailed alleged consumer rights violations, misleading advertising, and abusive trade practices.

    Who is BIS?

    The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards body. BIS is in charge of the smooth operation of the standardisation, marking, and quality certification of goods processes as well as any related or incidental issues. 

    The national economy has benefited from BIS’s primary functions of standardisation and conformance assessment by supplying safe, dependable, and high-quality products; reducing consumer health risks; safeguarding the environment; encouraging imports and exports as alternatives; managing the overabundance of varieties, etc. In addition to helping consumers and businesses, BIS’s standards and certification programme also assist a number of public policies, including those pertaining to building and construction, consumer protection, food safety, product safety, and the environment.

    Through its standardisation and certification efforts, BIS has recently sought to directly address a number of national priorities as well as other government projects, including Digital India, Make in India, Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, and ease of doing business. When developing standards, BIS keeps up with the latest developments in technology, climate change, energy and environmental conservation, health and safety conditions, and trade facilitation. 

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  • Bureau of Indian Standards Creates Ayush Standardisation Department

    Standardisation in the Ayush industry has been fostered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the country’s national standards body. Since a specialised standardising section was set up by the Bureau, standardisation efforts in the field have been accelerated. Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy are all part of the traditional Indian medical systems that the new department is working to improve in terms of safety, effectiveness, and quality.

    “Under the leadership of renowned experts, the Ayush department at BIS has formed seven sectional committees, each addressing a specific Ayush system,” added Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Director General of BIS, while outlining the Ayush standardisation process and structure. In order to guarantee thorough, evidence-based standards that are in compliance with national and international criteria, these committees collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, such as specialists, professional organisations, regulatory agencies, and scientific and technical institutes.

    91 Standards Set by BIS Till Now

    So far, 91 standards have been created by BIS on a wide range of topics, including individual plants; Ayurvedic and Yoga terminology; Panchakarma tools; Yoga props; and procedures for detecting pesticide residues in herbs. The release of 80 indigenous Indian standards for traditional medicinal herbs has been a boon to the industry and consumers alike by promoting the safe and effective use of these plants. Better Ayurvedic healthcare is possible because to the first-ever national standards for Panchakarma equipment, which standardise both preventative and curative measures.

    As part of its efforts to promote sustainability, BIS has developed an indigenous Indian Standard for the “Cotton Yoga Mat,” which will assist local producers and manufacturers. Future areas of standardisation that have been highlighted by the department include yoga clothing, Siddha diagnostics, homeopathic remedies, terminology, and individual plants.

    Maintaining Consistent Quality is the Key

    “As more people turn to Traditional Healthcare Systems, the need for consistent quality, safety, and efficacy in Ayush products and services is imperative,” stated Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of Ayush, while expressing his appreciation for the measures taken by the BIS. BIS has demonstrated its dedication to this field by establishing this specialised department and developing essential standards, such as IS: 17873, which is referred to as the “Cotton Yoga Mat.” The advancement and development of traditional Indian medicine has reached a significant milestone with these events. The BIS is dedicated to promoting the acceptance and growth of Ayush systems on a national and international scale through the implementation of stringent standards and groundbreaking innovations.

    The necessity of establishing national and worldwide standards for Ayush systems has become an absolute necessity as a result of the globalisation of medicine and the growing prevalence of traditional medical practices. The Ministry of Ayush has been making efforts to establish a thriving quality ecosystem in order to ease trade and guarantee the supply of high-quality goods and services to consumers on a national as well as a global scale.

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