QUALITY CONTROL IN INDIA
Quality Control refers to a planned & deliberate activity which determines the quality of a product eventually accepting it. If it is not in compliance with the requirements then remedial measure are required to be taken to correct the activity/process.
Quality Standards
The basic requirement for quality control is the specification of quality. It can be implemented only after assessing, measuring and specifying quality control. Usually, buyers provide specifications of items/products they wish to purchase. Standards are notified by the institutions regulating control & inspection like the Bureau of Indian Standards, International Electro-chemical Commission and International Standards Organization (ISO). Export of products are permitted only on compliance with the standards as laid down by these organizations.
Methods of Quality Control and Inspection
In-process quality control
The products included under this are- printing ink, figments, paints, and allied products, ceramic sanitary ware, etc. In this method, the manufacturers are responsible to produce export consignment after complying with the recognized standards.
Consignment-wise inspection
Every consignment before exportation is subjected to a detailed inspection to ensure compliance with the standard specifications. Exporter is issued the certificate, on showing the consignment export-worthy. Once certificate is issued, consignment are permitted to be exported.
Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963
The objective of this Act is to develop export trade by way of quality control and inspection. It further empowers the government to-
- Prior to being exported, specifying products which are subjected to quality control,
- setting out the type of quality control needed for specified product,
- identifying standard specifications for a specified product,
- restricting export of those specified products which are in contravention of conditions of control and inspection.
- Statutory regulations including Indian Aircraft Rules read with Sea Customs Act and Tea Act, regulate goods which are identified for exports.
- Following Acts would automatically extend to export items which are applicable to products which are for domestic sales- Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1956; The Drugs Act, 1940; Essential Commodities Act, 1955; etc.
- The legislations that offer voluntary use of resources for control and pre-shipment inspection- ISI (Certification Mark) Act, 1952 & Agricultural Produce (Trading and Marketing) Act, 1936.
The most pertinent aspect of international trading or marketing is export of quality products only. Inferior quality of a product tarnishes not only the image of the product but also spoils image of the country. Therefore, it is the duty of the exporter to comply with the standard specifications.
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