A standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.

Help make the development, manufacturing and supply of goods and services more efficient, safer and cleaner Make trade between countries easier and fairer because the same specifications are adopted for use in different countries as national or regional standards

Standards contribute more to economic growth than patents and licenses ? Standards are of strategic significance to companies ? Companies that participate actively in standards work have a head start on their competitors in adapting to market demands ? Research risks and development costs are reduced for companies contributing to the standardization process ? Businesses that are actively involved in standards work more frequently reap short and long term benefits with regard to costs, and competitive status than those who do not participate. ? Participating in standards development enables one to anticipate technology standardization thereby facilitating one?s products progress simultaneously with technology ? Leaders in technology should become more involved in standards

ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. It is located in Switzerland and was established in 1947 to develop common international standards in many areas. Its members come from over 150 national standards bodies. ? ISO 9000 is a generic name given to a family of standards developed to provide a framework around which a quality management system can effectively be implemented. It is an internationally recognized standard of quality, and includes guidelines to accomplish the ISO9000 quality standard. Organizations can be optionally audited to earn ISO9000 certification.

BIS stands for BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Bureau establishes Indian Standards in relation to any article or process and amends, revises or cancels the standards so established as may be necessary, by a process of consultation involving consumers, manufacturers, Government and regulatory bodies, technologists, scientists and testing laboratories through duly constituted committees.

Standardization can help to maximize compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality. It can also facilitate commoditization of formerly custom processes.

Presence of ISI certification mark known as Standard Mark on a product is an assurance of conformity to the specifications. The conformity is ensured by regular surveillance of the licensee's performance by surprise inspections and testing of samples, drawn both from the market and factory.

There are 16 broad categories, including textiles, packaged water, food, automobile components, plastic products and electronics, for which BIS has laid down standards.

AGMARK is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, assuring that they conform to a set of standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, an agency of the Government of India.

It certifies the purity of gold.

Hallmarking is done from the centers authorized by the government.

There are 5 things to be seen on the jewelry: first is the BIS logo, second is the 3 digit number code defining the purity(carat) of gold, third is the mark of the assaying & hallmarking centre, fourth is the a alphabetic code that describes the year of manufacturing & last is the jewelers mark.

These are usually the carats in which gold is found: 958 Corresponding to 23 Carat, 916 Corresponding to 22 Carat, 875 Corresponding to 21 Carat, 750 Corresponding to 18 Carat, 708 Corresponding to 17 Carat, 585 Corresponding to 14 Carat, 375 Corresponding to 9 Carat

For the year A means the manufacturing year is 2000, B is for 2001, C is for 2002 & so on.

In eatables green mark stands for vegetarian products & brown for non vegetarian.

Silk Mark certifies that a piece of textile is pure silk. Managed by the 'Silk Mark Organization of India.

Every package containg soap, shampoos, tooth pastes & other cosmetics & toiletries brown mark will be for non vegetarian origin & green for vegetarian origin.

BEE stands for Bureau of Energy Efficiency, to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001

The primary objective of BEE is reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy

Eco mark is a certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards to products conforming to a set of standards aimed at the least impact on the ecosystem.

Purposes of the mark are increasing awareness among the consumers towards reducing environment impact. The mark is issued to various product categories and the development of standards for more products is in progress. For more information of Standards FAQ's please visit following link of BIS http://bis.org.in/