BIS Compliance News · 6 January 2026
BIS Foundation Day 2026 launches consumer awareness initiatives
The Bureau of Indian Standards marked its 79th Foundation Day in New Delhi on 6 January 2026. Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State B. L. Verma attended. According to the Ministry, more than 23,300 Indian Standards are now in force.
Several of the launches are aimed at consumers. SHINE (Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women) will train women in self-help groups, through NGOs and SHGs, to spread awareness of standards, safety and quality. BIS comic books on standards, quality, safety and counterfeit products have also been put on the Ministry of Education's Rashtriya e-Pustakalay digital library, where children can read them free.
The Minister said more than 21 lakh silver articles have been hallmarked since the HUID-based silver scheme began on 1 September 2025. Silver hallmarking is still voluntary, but any silver that is hallmarked must now carry a HUID. Other launches included a beta BIS Standardisation Portal, MoUs with IIIT Dharwad, IIT Palakkad and NIT Arunachal Pradesh, and the BIS-SAKSHAM recognition scheme. Regional events were held the same day in Mumbai, Gandhinagar and other cities. The Gandhinagar release said BIS now runs more than 10,000 Standards Clubs in schools and colleges.
Who is affected
Consumer groups, schools, jewellers and silversmiths, and brands that sell to households — awareness drives mean more buyers will look for and check marks.
What to do
- Jewellers: make sure any hallmarked silver you sell carries a six-digit HUID.
- Brands: expect better-informed buyers and make sure the ISI or registration mark on your products is valid and easy to read.
Source: PIB — Union Minister on BIS 79th Foundation Day, 6 January 2026 · PIB — BIS Quality Conclave at IIT Gandhinagar, 6 January 2026
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