Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: Odisha is set to get a modern Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) office and laboratory, with the proposed facility planned as an integrated complex to strengthen quality testing and standardisation across the state.

The advanced laboratory will prioritise testing of steel, aluminium, gold and silver, considering Odisha’s large steel and aluminium industries. The facility is expected to improve quality testing of various products and strengthen consumer protection.

The decision was discussed at a meeting of the Odisha State-Level Committee on Standardisation (SSC) held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg.

Officials from the Odisha Government and BIS discussed measures to promote standardisation, ensure product quality and strengthen consumer safety in the state.

A.K. Purohit, Senior Director and Head of BIS Bhubaneswar, briefed the meeting on key initiatives being undertaken to improve standardisation and quality control in Odisha. Senior BIS Laboratory official A. Chatterjee from Kolkata also attended the meeting.

The state government has also emphasised the use of Indian Standards while procuring goods and services. Departments have been advised to download the prescribed standards from the BIS website and follow them during procurement.

Also Read: Odisha Govt Pushes Stronger Use of Indian Standards

To improve accessibility, departmental portals will also be linked with the BIS website.

The BIS Care mobile app will be promoted widely to strengthen consumer awareness. Through the app, consumers can verify Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) numbers and the authenticity of the ISI mark.

Authorities will also strictly enforce the requirement for jewellery shops to prominently display information about the BIS Care app.

Senior officials, including Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh, Transport Department Principal Secretary N.B.S. Rajput and Agriculture Department Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Yadav, attended the meeting.