Ms Surina Rajan, Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said that we need to ensure that quality goes down the entire supply chain and is not limited to only few levels and players. Also, Indian manufacturing sector should have sustainable standards and quality systems to be globally competitive. To achieve this, BIS is focusing on 3S - Smart, Sustainable and Services as key features of standardization process. BIS is focusing on developing standards in the area of services, sustainability and Smart processes /technologies which will enable industry to compete globally, said Ms Rajan.

Speaking at the '7th FICCI Quality Systems Excellence Awards & Conference for Industry' on the theme of 'Role of Technology in Strengthening Quality Systems', Ms Rajan said that BIS will work to ensure that the compliance process and quality systems do not become a burden on the industry and in that direction are planning to have conformity assessment systems that would be simpler to comply with for the industry. She also emphasized that today, all products and services have smart features and it was imperative to have Smart Standardization process for them as well.

To raise awareness about quality assurance through standardization process, BIS will tie-up with various universities and academia to tap youngsters who are likely to soon join the workforce. In that regard efforts are to introduce courses related to quality in the curriculums at the school and college levels.

Ms Rajan also highlighted that BIS has finalized the 'Standards National Action Plan' which has identified key priority areas with three to five years perspective. Underlining the limitation of testing labs in the country, she added that BIS will soon release a comprehensive laboratory database which will not only utilize the exiting and unused labs but also help industry which mostly rely on international testing labs.

Mr Shyam Bang, Chairman, FICCI Taskforce on Manufacturing Excellence and Chairman, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), Quality Council of India said that Indian manufacturing sector can only grow if it is globally competitive. He also said that rapid technological changes, innovation and increase automation are transforming the work scenario and also spur quality operations.

Mr Satendra Singh, Co-Chair, FICCI Taskforce on Manufacturing Excellence and Head of Strategy & Business Development, Supply Network & Engg, Global Operations, Nokia Solutions and Networks Pvt. Ltd. highlighted the importance the role of quality for any industry. Quality should be considered as an investment and not as expense. He also stated that quality is transparent when it is present, but visible when not present.