BIS comes out with quality standards for biodegradable food utensils

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said it has come out with quality standards for biodegradable food utensils amid rising demand for such products.

• The standard ‘IS 18267: 2023’ covers various aspects, including raw materials, manufacturing techniques, performance, and hygiene requirements for the production of biodegradable utensils.

• It specifies the use of agricultural by-products, such as leaves and sheaths, as preferred materials for making plates, cups, bowls, and more. 

• The standard recommends appropriate parts of plants and trees and provides manufacturing techniques like hot pressing, cold pressing, moulding and stitching.

• It emphasises smooth surfaces, non-sharp edges, and prohibits the use of chemicals, resins, and adhesives.

• The standard provides comprehensive guidelines to manufacturers and consumers to maintain uniformity in quality requirements across the country.

Growing market share of disposable plates

• The rising use of disposable tableware worldwide is driving the global market for disposable tableware. The disposable plate’s market size was valued at $4.26 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $6.73 billion by 2028.

• In India, numerous large-scale and MSME-level manufacturers are actively contributing to the production of biodegradable cutlery. The demand for these products is consistently rising, leading to a steady growth in the number of manufacturers involved in their production.

• The implementation of this standard has far-reaching benefits as these utensils are free from harmful additives, ensuring consumer well-being. The standard also creates economic opportunities for farmers and supports sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to rural development.

Bureau of Indian Standards 

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was established in 1986 assuming the functions of the erstwhile Indian Standards Institution (ISI).

• In its capacity as the National Standards Body of India, BIS is actively involved in matters of international and regional standardisation. 

• India has been actively involved in the matters of international standardisation and was one of the founding members of International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 

• BIS is a member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and regional standards bodies like Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC) and South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO).

• BIS operates under the framework of the BIS Act of 2016 and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder.

Objectives of BIS:

i) Harmonious development of the activities of standardisation, marking and quality certification of goods.

ii) Provide thrust to standardisation and quality control for growth, and development of industry on one hand, and to meet the needs of consumers on the other.

• Its headquarters is situated in New Delhi. It has five regional offices located at Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Delhi. There are 32 branch offices. 

• BIS develops Indian Standards through a consultative mechanism in technical committees comprising stakeholders so that views and interests of all are given due consideration while formulating a standard.

• BIS operates a Product Certification Scheme. The presence of Standard Mark (popularly known as ISI mark) on a product indicates its conformity to the relevant Indian Standard. Before granting a licence to any manufacturer, BIS ascertains the availability of required infrastructure and capability of the manufacturer to produce and test the product conforming to the relevant Indian Standard.

BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways:

i) Providing safe reliable quality goods.

ii) Minimising health hazards to consumers.

iii) Promoting exports and imports substitute.

iv) Control over proliferation of varieties through standardisation, certification and testing.

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