Quality Standards ISI and Agmark


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Quality Standards ISI and Agmark

Quality Standards: ISI and Agmark: A logo like ISI, Agmark or Hallmark on a product helps consumers get assured of quality while purchasing such goods. The organisations that monitor and issue these certificates allow producers to use their logos provided they follow certain quality standards. These organisations develop quality standards for many products, but it is not compulsory for all the producers to follow such standards. Some products that affect the health and safety of consumers or products of mass consumption like LPG cylinders, food colours and additives, cement, packaged drinking water, etc. For such products, it is compulsory for producers to get certified by these organisations.

Learning to Become Well-Informed Consumers: When consumers become conscious of their rights while purchasing goods and services, they will be able to differentiate and make informed choices. They have to acquire the knowledge and skills to become well-informed consumers. The enactment of COPRA has led to the setting up of separate departments of Consumer Affairs in Central and State Governments. These departments also contribute consumer awareness by different modes. They publish posters and spread information about legal process in advertisements on television channels.

Taking the Consumer Movement Forward: The National Consumers’ Day is celebrated on 24th December. On this day, the Indian Parliament enacted the Consumers’ Protection Act in 1986. Due to Consumer Movement, today, there are more than 700 consumer groups in India, out of which about 20-25 are well organised and recognised for their work. However, the consumer redressal process has become difficult, expensive and time consuming, because usually the consumer has to hire a lawyer, attend the court proceedings, etc. Generally, suppliers of goods and services do not issue cash memos that’s why evidence is not easy to gather. In addition, most purchases in the market are small retail sales. Also, the existing laws are not very clear on the issue of compensation to consumers injured by defective products.  Even after more than 25 years of the enactment of COPRA, consumer awareness in India is inadequate. Besides this, the enforcement of laws that protect workers, especially in the unorganized sector is weak. Similarly, rules and regulations for working of markets are often not followed.

Some important Full Forms :- 

  • BIS ( Bureau of Indian standards )- It is an Institution for Setting up the standard for making and producing various products & enforcing them . 
  • ISI Mark- (Indian Standard Institution) This is a certification mark for industrial products in India certifying that a product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body of India.
  • Agmark- This is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, assuring that they conform to a set of standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, an agency of the Government of India.
  • Hallmark- This is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals like platinum, gold, silver, etc. It is particularly used for quality certification of jewellery products.
  • Conclusion: Consumer is the most important element of the market. So, they should be encouraged to raise their voice. By raising their voice, consumers can stop malpractices in the market. It should be realised by consumers that no rule and regulation will work, until they realise their role and importance. Consumer movement can be effective only with active involvement of consumers. It requires continuous effort and struggle involving participation from all consumers.

     
     
     


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