EU-style consumer goods quality testing in the works

Govt mulls stricter quality norms for consumer products, aligning with developed nations

- Dhirendra Kumar

A plan to bolster India's quality standards for consumer products is being drawn up, with the central government preparing to emulate norms followed by advanced economies such as the European Union (EU) and the U.S., two people aware of the development said.

The new regulations will cover both locally manufactured products and imported consumer goods, the two people said on condition of anonymity. The move comes in the backdrop of industry reports hinting that almost a third of consumer products in the market are spurious.

India will look to bring in random sampling and risk-based testing—practices widely adopted in the EU and the U.S.—to ensure availability of quality products in retail markets and enhance consumer safety, the two people said.

Priority will be given to testing high-risk products such as electronics, food, and toys, among others, while ensuring that all items remain subject to surveillance, they added.