MAIT organizes seminar on ICT standards

MAIT organized a one day seminar on role of standards in ICT. The seminar aimed at informing parties about the relevance and need of a practice like that in a country like India. It also acted as a platform for dialogue between government and manufacturers.

The program was well attended by delegates from the domestic industry as well as several international organizations such as Information Technology Council, Digital Europe, Taipei Computer Association and SESEI.

The day long program was divided into four sessions namely, "Role of Standards in the ICT & Electronics Sector - Trends, Opportunities and Issues," "Compulsory Registration Order - Experience and way forward," "Market Surveillance, Quality Control and Inspection," "Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Awareness."

With the ongoing debate about BIS certification market has seen a lot of anxiety lately. The BIS certification promises to provide consumers with safe products. These products will be tested according to certain parameters which will check their utility of the power consumed and matters related to it.

Speaking during the workshop, Amar Babu, president, MAIT said "Standards are important for matters relating to consumer safety and product quality. Implementation of standards framework and its compliance is extremely essential as it will eventually determine the success of the entire process. MAIT will take forward a proposal on behalf of the ICT industry, basis the feedback received from the programme and share it with the government. The proposal shall encourage the participation of industry players to come forward and share best practices relating to standards from across the globe".

Manufacturers on one hand are willing to participate in the initiative but anticipate the procedure to become timelier. During the seminar concerns were also raised regarding the validity of the procedure and certificate, labeling, market surveillance and transparency.

Yet all agreed with the practice adopted consumer will become the end beneficiary.