UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:

Consider the following statements:

1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes. 
2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation: 

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification scheme is basically voluntary in nature. However, for a number of products compliance to Indian Standards is made compulsory by the Central Government under various considerations viz. public interest, protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices and national security.
  
  
• For such products, the Central Government directs mandatory use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from BIS through issuance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Standard Mark has been made mandatory for tyres and tubes since 2010. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• Agricultural Mark (AGMARK) is a certification mark for agricultural produce, assuring that they conform to a grade standard notified by Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare under Agricultural Produce (Grading Marking) Act, 1937. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  • While framing the standards, the existing standards in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Codex Alimentarius Commission, International Organization for Standardization etc. are considered. Trade Associations, Research Institutions, etc. are also consulted.
    
    

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Economics | Miscellaneous(eco)