The Union government is focusing on transforming the National Test House (NTH), an industrial testing laboratory under the consumer affairs ministry, into the apex certification body for all Indian products. This initiative is driven by the need to improve the quality and global recognition of Indian products after several export orders were rejected.
Establishment of NTH Labs
A series of laboratories will be established across India to operate under the NTH. These labs will be responsible for issuing final certifications for a variety of products, including food, spices, and organic goods. The NTH will ensure these products meet global standards and are internationally recognized.
Timeline and Coverage
The establishment and operation of NTH labs are expected to be completed within the first 125 days of the new government. These labs will be strategically located in regions with a critical need for certification services.
Certification and Testing
- Request for Testing: Agencies with quality concerns about any product can request manufacturers to obtain an NTH testing certificate. Companies can directly approach NTH to have their samples tested to avoid lapses.
- Global Quality Assurance: This move aims to enhance the reliability and credibility of product quality assessments in India, especially after Indian products faced rejection in other countries for sub-standard quality.
Background and Need
- Recent Rejections: In recent months, Indian food products, including spices and organic foods, have been rejected by countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US due to quality issues. This highlighted the need for an apex testing body.
- Counter-Validation: The NTH will be responsible for counter-validating samples that have failed tests in other countries.
Role of NTH
- Certifying Organic Products: NTH labs will certify organic food products for both domestic consumption and export.
- Final Certification: The certification provided by NTH will be final, and companies or food regulators can send their certified samples for re-validation.
- Current Certification Landscape: Currently, samples are certified by the testing labs of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These agencies have their own labs and also accredit private labs. However, there is no apex body for re-testing in case of a test failure.
Development and Scope
- Global Testing Protocols: The NTH is being developed based on the testing protocols of world-renowned global testing agencies. This will facilitate the smooth export of food products and other items like drones and electrical goods.
- Consumer Access: Not only manufacturers but consumers can also have their products re-tested at NTH labs.
Additional Responsibilities
- Drones Testing: The century-old NTH is involved in testing various products, including drones.
- Crop Loss Evaluation: NTH scientists are engaged in evaluating crop loss data collected by the agriculture ministry’s agencies for compensations under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) or national crop insurance.
Unanswered Queries
Queries sent to the spokesperson of the consumer affairs ministry and NTH remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary role of the National Test House (NTH) as discussed in the article?
- A. To manufacture industrial products
- B. To serve as the apex certification body for all Indian products
- C. To regulate food safety standards
- D. To import goods for quality testing
- Answer: B. To serve as the apex certification body for all Indian products
- Within how many days is the establishment and operation of NTH labs expected to be completed?
- A. 100 days
- B. 125 days
- C. 150 days
- D. 200 days
- Answer: B. 125 days
- Which products will NTH labs be responsible for certifying?
- A. Only food products
- B. Only electrical goods
- C. All products including food, spices, and organic products
- D. Only imported products
- Answer: C. All products including food, spices, and organic products
- Which countries recently rejected Indian food products due to sub-standard quality?
- A. China, Japan, and South Korea
- B. Canada, Mexico, and Brazil
- C. Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US
- D. France, Germany, and Italy
- Answer: C. Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US
- Who can approach the NTH for product testing and certification?
- A. Only manufacturers
- B. Only government agencies
- C. Both manufacturers and consumers
- D. Only international clients
- Answer: C. Both manufacturers and consumers