Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Chennai organised a Stakeholders Conclave on the theme “Shared Vision for a Better World — SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals” at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Chennai Campus on 18 September 2025. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, academicians, activists from various NGOs, and environmental experts to deliberate on strengthening partnerships for sustainable development and quality assurance.
Programme commenced with invocation and lighting of the lamp, followed by a Welcome Address by Shri S.D. Dayanand, Scientist-F / Senior Director & Head, BIS Chennai Branch Office, who highlighted the role of standards in national development. He remarked, 'By connecting regulatory bodies, academia and industry, BIS aims to create a culture where compliance and innovation go hand in hand. This Conclave is a step toward a quality-first ecosystem, ensuring that standards remain the backbone of consumer protection and industrial growth'. He further noted that this was the first programme organized on such a large scale in Thiruvallur, considering the significant presence of industries and BIS licence holders in the region. Towards World Standards Day, a series of events promoting standardization have been planned, with similar conclaves scheduled to be held in Puducherry and Vellore in the coming days. He emphasized that every year, BIS plans and organizes prominent events to highlight and create greater awareness on standards.
The Presidential Address was delivered by Dr. Meenakshi Ganesan, Scientist-G / Deputy Director General (South), BIS Southern Regional Office, who underlined the broader vision of BIS’s initiatives. She observed, 'Standards are not just technical documents — they are instruments of trust, safety and innovation. True growth comes when we include people below the poverty line by creating opportunities that support their livelihood. Through such inclusion and partnerships, BIS is committed to embedding quality and sustainability in every sphere, aligning with India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals'.
Eminent dignitaries delivered Keynote Addresses. Prof. N. Arunachalam, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, opened the session with insights on sustainability, Industry 4.0, and Industry 5.0, describing the latter as the loop between Industry 4.0 and human-centric development. He emphasised the responsibilities of manufacturing industries in protecting the environment and highlighted the adoption of smart manufacturing methods that balance industrial growth with sustainability. He further pointed out that emerging technologies and developments are now geared towards customised mass production and zero-defect manufacturing. Stressing the importance of global responsibility, he added that by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), industries can help make the earth more liveable for future generations.
Following him, Shri C. Saravanan, Additional Director, Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, spoke on standardization and the role of BIS in connecting stakeholders with industry norms. He underlined that adherence to safety standards is crucial for building a responsible and progressive ecosystem.
Dr. Selva Ilavarasi, District Environmental Engineer, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, further enriched the discussion by focusing on environmental regulations and legislations. She spoke about the Environment Protection Act and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, elaborating on licence procedures related to pollution control. She also provided a detailed explanation on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), outlining its role in evaluating potential environmental consequences before project approvals. She stressed that strict compliance with these legislations and EIA processes is essential for safeguarding natural resources and achieving sustainable development.
The Technical Session featured expert presentations from BIS. Shri Muninarayana R, Scientist-E & Director, BIS, detailed several new initiatives undertaken by the organisation and explained how the BIS Care App is empowering citizens to verify whether their everyday products are certified and recognised. Smt. Anurita Nidhi Hemrom, Scientist-C / Deputy Director, BIS CNBO, introduced the BIS Standards Watch platform, designed to keep stakeholders updated with the latest developments in standards.
The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks, reaffirming BIS’s commitment to advancing partnerships in quality, sustainability, and innovation through its various initiatives.
***
AD/SH