Posted On:
29 OCT 2026 9:18PM by PIB Chennai
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, in collaboration with the District Industries Centre (DIC), Ranipet, organised an MSME Stakeholder Conclave on 29 October 2026 at Ratan Naval Meeting Hall, Vanapadi, Ranipet, as part of the World Standards Day 2026 celebrations. The conclave brought together representatives of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and officials from BIS, DIC and the National Test House (NTH) to discuss Indian Standards, BIS certification, testing facilities and the various support measures available to MSMEs.
The programme aimed to raise awareness among MSMEs, particularly those in the leather, footwear and general engineering sectors, about standardisation, product quality, certification requirements, and the financial and technical assistance available to facilitate compliance with Indian Standards. The initiative also sought to encourage greater collaboration among government institutions and industry stakeholders to enhance the quality, productivity and competitiveness of MSMEs in the region.
Delivering the welcome address and outlining the objectives of the programme, Shri S. D. Dayanand, Scientist-F / Senior Director & Head, BIS, Chennai, welcomed the dignitaries, officials and industry representatives and highlighted the importance of quality and standardisation in improving product reliability, ensuring consumer safety, enhancing market competitiveness and building customer confidence. He emphasised the role of BIS in providing standards-related guidance, facilitating certification and creating awareness of quality requirements among industries. He also encouraged MSMEs to avail themselves of the concessions and support measures available through BIS and the National Test House. He expressed confidence that the conclave would strengthen collaboration among BIS, DIC, NTH and MSMEs, thereby contributing to improved quality, productivity and competitiveness.
Delivering the special address, Shri V. Jagan Raj, General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC), Ranipet, highlighted the role of the DIC in facilitating the growth and development of MSMEs in the district. He emphasised the importance of coordination between government institutions and industrial enterprises in enabling MSMEs to access relevant support, technical guidance and development opportunities. He also highlighted the need for MSMEs to adopt quality standards and utilise the assistance available through various institutional initiatives to improve their operational efficiency and market competitiveness.
The BIS awareness session for MSMEs was conducted by Shri Pakki Balu, Scientist-C / Deputy Director, BIS, Chennai. He explained the role of BIS in formulating Indian Standards, ensuring conformity with prescribed quality requirements and promoting consumer safety through standardisation and certification. He highlighted the importance of complying with applicable Indian Standards and Quality Control Orders (QCOs), wherever notified, and explained the certification-related support and concessions available to MSMEs. These include concessions on annual minimum marking fees of 80% for micro enterprises and start-up enterprises, 50% for small enterprises, and 20% for medium enterprises, along with an additional 10% concession for women entrepreneur-led enterprises, subject to applicable provisions. He encouraged MSMEs to make use of BIS services and support measures to strengthen quality assurance and facilitate compliance with relevant standards.
A session on “Financial Aid for MSME Clusters for Creating Test Facilities” was delivered by Smt. Arul Sathya. M, Scientist-E / Director, BIS, Southern Regional Laboratory (SRL), Chennai. She explained the BIS financial assistance initiative for establishing testing facilities for MSME clusters and highlighted the importance of accessible testing infrastructure in strengthening quality assurance among micro, small and medium enterprises. The session familiarised participants with the potential benefits of shared testing facilities in evaluating product conformity, supporting compliance with Indian Standards and reducing the challenges faced by MSMEs in accessing appropriate testing infrastructure.
During the session on “Assistance to MSMEs by National Test House”, Shri Divi Rajagopala Rao, Scientist-D, National Test House (Southern Region), explained the testing and technical support available to MSMEs through NTH. He highlighted the role of NTH, a premier multidisciplinary testing organisation under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, in providing testing, calibration, consultancy and training services to various industrial sectors. He encouraged MSMEs to utilise the available facilities for product testing and quality evaluation to improve product reliability, meet applicable technical requirements and strengthen their competitiveness.
The programme concluded with an open house and interactive session, providing MSME representatives with an opportunity to interact with officials from BIS, DIC and the National Test House, seek clarifications and discuss issues relating to Indian Standards, certification, testing facilities and available support measures. The conclave reinforced the importance of stakeholder engagement and institutional collaboration in promoting quality consciousness and supporting the growth of MSMEs in Ranipet.
Through such initiatives, the Bureau of Indian Standards continues to promote standardisation, quality assurance and consumer safety while raising awareness among MSMEs about certification requirements and available support measures. The initiative reaffirms the commitment of the BIS Chennai Branch Office to strengthening engagement with industry stakeholders and encouraging the adoption of quality standards for sustainable industrial development.
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SK/SH