1 Dr. Sitaram Dixit – Chairman (CGSI)Standardization – The Worlds Common Language The role of Indian Standards in Consumer Protection Dr. Sitaram Dixit – Chairman (CGSI) CGSI Consumer Toll free helpline:
2 Standards are everywhereSuccessful standards usually go unnoticed The importance of standards is noticeable when problems arise, e.g. Incompatible electrical plugs and sockets worldwide Baltimore fire 1904: Hoses of fire fighters from neighboring cities did not fit hydrants in Baltimore A lack of standards can lead from mere frustration to needless deaths
3 Electrical current ampère (A) Layout of QWERTY computer keyboard Units of measurement Length – meter (m) Mass – kilogram (kg) Time – second (s) Electrical current ampère (A) Layout of QWERTY computer keyboard Size of light bulb fitting Paper format (A4, A5, Letter, Legal…..; height-to-width ratio) GSM protocol for mobile phones Vehicle safety test procedures
4 ISO freight containers (ISO, 1968)ISO/TC 1 (Screw threads) ISO freight containers (ISO, 1968) ISO/TC 2 (Fasteners)
5 What is a standard? Mostly used in two rough senses:it is an agreement developed by several parties with the intent that all parties comply it is a product or service with a significant market share There are many definitions. Most try to specify the first type of standard (i.e. the agreement).
6 Many definitions of standardDefinition depends on who is asked, e.g. Formal standards bodies: a standard is “a document established by consensus and approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context” (ISO) Industry: “A standard [can be] of any form or type (…). A standard is also one of the agents used (…) to bring about market change” (Cargill) “An approved specification of a limited set of solutions to actual or potential matching problems, prepared for the benefits of the party or parties involved, balancing their needs, and intended and expected to be used repeatedly or continuously, during a certain period, by a substantial number of the parties for whom they are meant” (De Vries)
7 Consumer Rights [Sec.6 C.P Act]Right to SAFETY against hazardous goods & services Right to be INFORMED about quality, quantity, purity, standard and price. Right to CHOOSE from a variety of goods at competitive prices Right to be HEARD Right to seek REDRESSAL Right to CONSUMER EDUCATION
8 Role of Standards & Consumer Protection1 An effective means of implementing Consumer rights of information, choice and redressal 2 A powerful tool for ensuring safety, quality, compatibility & convenience 3 A consumer - friendly and educative communication tool in daily life
9 IS (Part 1) : Self Ballasted Lamps for General Lighting Services - Part 1 : Safety Requirements IS 302 (Part 2/Sec-3) Safety of household and similar electrical appliances – Electric iron IS 302 (Part 2/Sec- 201) Safety of household and similar electrical appliances– Electric immersion water-heaters IS 302 (Part 2/Sec-202) Safety of household and similar electrical appliances –Electric stoves IS 302 (Part 2/Sec-30) Safety of household and similar electrical appliances-Room heaters SAFETY
10 CHOICE IS 12269 Ordinary Portland Cement, 53 GradeIS Low heat Portland Cement IS Masonry Cement IS Portland Slag Cement IS High Alumina Cement for Structural Use CHOICE
11 IS Milk-powder IS Condensed milk, partly skimmed and skimmed condensed milk IS Sweetened ultra high temperature treated condensed milk IS (Part 1) Skimmed milk-powder, standard grade IS (Part 2) Skimmed milk-powder, extra grade IS Partly skimmed milk powder CHOICE
12 40 IS 14433 Infant milk substitutes 41 IS Partly skimmed milk powder IS Packaged Natural Mineral Water 42 IS Packaged Drinking Water (Other than Packaged Natural Mineral Water) CONVENIENCE
13 IS/ISO : 2007 Quality Management - Customer Satisfaction - Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Organizations IS/ISO : 2004 Quality Management - Customer Satisfaction - Guidelines for Complaints Handling in Organizations IS/ISO : 2007 Quality Management - Customer Satisfaction - Guidelines for Dispute Resolution External to Organizations IS/ISO/IEC Guide 14 : 2003 Purchase Information Of Goods And Services Intended For Consumers REDRESSAL
14 SP 69 : 2012 Financial Services “ Information Security Guidelines”IS/ISO/IEC GUIDE 37 : 1995 Instructions For Use Of Products Of Consumer Interest IS/ISO/IEC GUIDE 41 : 2003 Packaging - Recommendations for addressing consumer needs IS/ISO/IEC Guide 43 : PART 1 : 1997 Proficiency Testing By Inter laboratory Comparisons - Guidelines : Part 1 Development And Operation of Profiency Testing Scheme Code of Practice EDUCATION
15 IS/ISO/IEC GUIDE 43 : PART 2 : 1997 Profiency Testing By Interlaboratory Comparisons - Guidelines : Part 2 Selection And Use Of Profiency Testing Schemes By Laboratory Accreditation Bodies Code of Practice IS/ISO/IEC GUIDE 46 : 1985 Comparative Testing Of Consumer Products And Related Services - General Principles Code of Practice IS/ISO/IEC Guide 67 : 2004 Conformity Assessment - Fundamentals Of Products Certification - Guide INFORMATION
16 How are standards created?Standards are developed by technical experts working together to meet a common market need. The term “voluntary consensus standard” describes a document developed through a process where all views and objections are considered and where affected parties (including government, consumers, and business) have reached consensus on its contents.
17 Why standards are important? Standards contain Information.They Indicate product safety Clarify health risks Clarify environmental risks Increase transparency in the market (consumer and producer expectations) Create a level playing field Reduce information search costs Reduce production costs (allows economy of scale in production) Necessary for diffusion of new technologies
18 Why standards are importantWhy standards are important? Standards create compatibility or interoperability Compatibility defined as ‘the suitability of products, processes or services for use together under specific conditions to fulfill relevant requirements without causing unacceptable interactions.’ Two types of compatibility between components compatible complements (e.g. plug and socket) compatible substitutes (e.g. plug A and B in respect to socket)
19 Networked environments* like telephone communication and broadcasting require standards Standards coordinate technology Standards coordinate markets, e.g. availability of complementary products Standards facilitate international trade Expansion of global markets
20 Increasing anonymity of markets (standard-compliance raises trust)Increasing concern for safety, health & environmental issues Growing quality consciousness (higher demand for quality standards) Use of standards to protect against mistakes (legal accountability) Regulation which encourages the use of standards
21 Why standards are important? Benefits Consumers’ Quality of LifeStandards are important for consumer goods like food, drugs, vehicles, traffic lights, footpaths, power points, seatbelts and child restraints, electrical appliances, safety equipment, air quality, smoke and fire alarms. Standard requirements regarding design (toys), ingredients (paint), process of manufacture or production (meat), performance (helmets), at home, at play, at work. Standards give businesses & consumers confidence that the goods and services they are developing or using are safe, reliable and will do the job they were intended for.
22 In addition to increased confidence in the safety and quality of their purchases, consumers benefit from efforts to make standardized products stand out in the marketplace helping them make everyday choices between one product and another easy. “Consumers expect that services and products will be consistent in quality, durability and ease of use.” Manufacturers are responding to consumer demands by making their products more user-friendly, multi-functional, and even less expensive than the competition.
23 Products with improved quality and reliability Standards provide consumers with greater assurance that the various components they purchase will be easy to use, and that components (i.e., audio-visual equipment, car parts, computer software) will work together. International Standards are voluntary rules and guidelines that help to ensure: Safer, healthier, more environmentally sound products and services; better product or service information Products with improved quality and reliability Improved social and economic well-being
24 Better operational compatibility between products and greater consistency in the delivery of services Improved choice and access to goods and services; and so lower costs for consumers Standards support innovation, providing a platform on which to build new and exciting ideas. As World changes, new Standards are introduced reflecting the latest technologies, innovations and community needs and redundant Standards discarded spreading 'cutting edge' practices across emerging industries.
25 Standards boost production and productivity In manufacturing, materials handling, mechanical systems and components, standards save businesses time and money cutting production costs. Drive economies of scale, by the use of common parts and specifications, help cut energy bills and foster new technologies. Small businesses become more efficient and grow by using Standards, guidelines and handbooks developed by industry experts.
26 Standards make businesses more competitive and link to the worldStandards ensure products manufactured in one country can be sold and used in another. A nut made in India can fit a bolt made in London, 35 mm film made in India will fit 35 mm cameras made in Japan. Standards reduce technical barriers to international trade, increase the size of potential markets. Standards offer an alternative to Govt. regulation, with less red tape and business costs, providing security for families & small business consumers.
27 Who does not want standards?Those with a stake in the status quo (e.g., company with a large market share in the area of standardization) These parties sometimes participate in order to frustrate the standards process Governments need standards for Regulation (e.g., minimum standards for consumer protection)
28 Standard is a consumer-friendly communication tool in daily lifeMeasurement (Weights & Measures) Signs and Symbols
29 Some Standard Marks & Graphic labelsSilk Mark is being promoted by Silk Mark Organization of India (SMOI), a registered society under Karnataka Society Act SMOI is an initiative of Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles and Government of India “Today we live in a world profoundly reliant on product standards” (WTO, 2005)
30 Recommendation Encourage Indian GovernmentsAdopt more standards as the mandatory standards (laws) Stronger implementation Use standards as an effective public tool for Reducing gaps and promoting uniformity between & among industries and countries Strengthening market surveillance system (market transparency)
31 Thanks & Best Wishes Dr. Sitaram Dixit www.dixitsitaram.itgo.comCell: