Chhattisgarh used poor quality drugs - Raipur

The state-owned Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC) is in the eye of a storm over alleged procurement of drugs that failed quality tests in different laboratories in India. The role of CGMSC, the central drug procurement agency of the state government, has come under the scanner after the tragic deaths of 14 poor young women following tubectomies performed in free health camps in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district, allegedly due to spurious drugs.

Enquiries revealed that three samples of a drug used for sanitisation of surgical equipment and the operation theatre had failed quality tests in seven different private laboratories. But the officials concerned continued to procure the drug, ignoring the adverse reports of the laboratories.

Incidentally, the drug has been purchased from private manufacturing units. “CGMSC procured the sanitisation drug, worth around Rs 2 crore, in the current financial year. The drug has now been withdrawn from government hospitals in the state and dumped in warehouses of CGMSC following the exposure of irregularities in its procurement,” a senior officer in the state government told this newspaper here on Thursday on condition of anonymity.

Shockingly, multi-vitamin capsules procured from private agencies in a similar manner by CGMSC have quietly been withdrawn from government hospitals following complaints about their quality from some doctors.

Senior officers in the state health department were tight-lipped on the issue. Earlier, the exposure of alleged favour shown by the state government to controversial drug firm Mahawar Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, which allegedly supplied drugs to the tragedy-hit sterilisation camps, had rocked the state.

The licence of the firm was cancelled eight times earlier for manufacturing substandard drugs, but still the company managed to get a “good manufacturing practice award” in 2014 from the state government.



Source : The Asian Age , 21st Nov 2014

Modi govt appoints three new secretaries - Ahmedabad

The Narendra Modi government issued an order for appointment of secretaries in the corporate affairs, overseas Indian affairs and shipping ministries late on Monday night.

Rajive Kumar, special secretary (petroleum), was appointed as the shipping secretary in place of Viswapati Trivedi, who will retire this month.

Anjuly Chib Duggal, special secretary (expenditure), was shifted and given the portfolio of special secretary (corporate affairs). She will assume the role after incumbent Nawed Masood's retirement in February next year.

Another appointment was that of Sunil Soni, director general, Bureau of Indian Standards. He was given the role of special secretary (overseas Indian affairs), and will take over after the retirement of incumbent Prem Narain in December.

All the three officers are from the 1981 IAS batch .

The government also created new posts of special secretaries in the ministries of corporate affairs and overseas Indian affairs in the process.

Persons appointed in the roles will take over as secretaries of their respective ministries following the retirement of the incumbents.

So far, six IAS officers from the 1981 batch have been appointed as secretaries in various ministries.

Earlier, Gujarat cadre IAS officer Hasmukh Adhia was appointed as secretary (financial services), while Anuj Bishnoi was given the charge of secretary (water resources).

Anil Swarup, from the same batch, was made secretary (coal) in the last round of bureaucratic reshuffle.



Source : Hindustan Times , 25th Nov 2014

Samsung leads Indian tablet market: IDC

After a lull following Bureau of India Standards (BIS) compliance requirements, it appears that the Indian tablet market is finally witnessing signs of revival.


According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the India tablet market reported the strongest year to date growth in Q3 2014, fuelled by festive buying and strengthening commercial demand. Tablet market shipments in India witnessed a strong quarter-on-quarter growth of 10% making it a 0.94 million units market.


The country is still an Android-dominated market with Samsung taking the lead at a 22.2% market share, followed by Micromax at 10.9% and iBall at 10.6%. Apple's iOS-powered iPad has a market share of 6.7% while other players have a combined market share of 41.4%. 

                            The country is still an Android-dominated market with Samsung taking the lead at a 22.2% market share.

IDC informs that Samsung continues to lead the market by a wide gap to its next competitor and the brand fared well on the higher screen sized tablets. Micromax retained its second spot but saw a decline of 15% in Q3 against Q2 2014.

Windows based tablets priced under $200 are expected to accelerate the adoption rate, albeit from a low base, as per the research firm. It also observed that phablets are eating up the market share of small screen tablets.

"Due to continuous onslaught from the "Phablets" (which IDC defines as 5.5 inches -6.99 inches screen size smartphones), small screen tablets are taking a hit and there is more uptake on tablets which are screen sized between 8-9 inches. This has however led to an overall improvement of the average selling price for the category," says Kiran Kumar, research manager, client devices, IDC India.

IDC forecasts that for 2015, commercial segment is likely to grow in comparison to a stable consumer market and government projects and government aided education projects should remain key to the growth in the commercial tablets.

"We are likely to see increased activity by PC OEMs in the tablets space with a focus on the 7 inch and 8 inch form factor," adds Tanvi Mann, Market Analyst, IDC India.

Source : TOI , 28th Nov 2014

LED technology global expo at Pragati Maidan Dec 5-7 - New Delhi

Global trade fairs organisers Messe Frankfurt's Indian arm Wednesday announced that an international exhibition on LED (light emitting diode) lighting and technologies will be held Dec 5-7 at the capital's Pragati Maidan exposition venue.

"More than 200 exhibitors from India, China, Taiwan, Finland and Korea will be participating," Messe Frankfurt said in a press release here.

"With an increased environment consciousness and an urge to reduce carbon footprints, government and industries are looking towards LED lighting as an ideal source," it added.

The union power ministry last month launched a business model enabling the sale of LED bulbs to households at Rs.10 against the market price of Rs.400.

"The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) together with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), which is a joint venture of four central public sector undertakings in the power sector, have worked with electricity distribution companies (discoms) to develop a business model under which EESL procures LED bulbs in bulk and sells them to households at Rs.10," an official release here said.

"The discoms then repay EESL, over a period of five to eight years from the savings that accrue due to use of this energy efficient lighting technology," it added.

The ministry has already decided that all below poverty line households at the time of electrification under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyuthikaran Yojana (RGGVY) would be provided LED technology.

LEDs are emerging as the most energy-efficient source of lighting as they use one-tenth of the energy of a normal incandescent bulb and half as much energy as a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) to produce the same amount of light.

The first LED lamp made in India, in 2010, was sold for Rs.1,200. 



Source : Zee News , 26th Nov 2014

Workshop on Lab Accreditation from December 1 - Kocchi

QIndia Consulting Services, a provider of quality training and consultancy services, will conduct a four-day training programme on ‘Laboratory Accreditation and Internal Quality Audit as per ISO-15189:2012’, at Hotel Abad Plaza, Kochi, from December 1 to 4.

The programme is aimed at imparting training to participants to better understand the requirements of ISO-15189. It will also help the participants effectively implement ISO-15189 in laboratories, particularly the revised requirement. It will also take the participants through the techniques of internal auditing and teach them how to apply the same while conducting an effective gap analysis and internal audit.

The training programme is intended for all quality managers and other senior laboratory personnel who are likely to discharge the responsibilities of quality managers, including technical managers of accredited laboratories and laboratories preparing for accreditation.

The sessions at the training workshop will be led by Dr A S Kanagasabapathy and Basudev Bhattacharya. Kanagasabapathy is former HoD (Clinical Biochemistry) at the Christian Medical College, Vellore; convener of the QC Committee of the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India; and member of the Clinical Chemistry Trainee Advisory Council Board of ‘Clinical Chemistry’, the official journal of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry. Basudev Bhattacharya is an expert in the field of calibration and measurement uncertainty. He has been serving as quality practitioner and measurement management system initiator.  For details and registration, contact Dr T A Varkey on 0484-2320330, 4016565, 4011470, or 9447031471.


Source : The New Indian Express , 25th Nov 2014

Huge resource gap hits wildlife protection in India - Coimbatore

Shekhar Kumar Niraj, Head of TRAFFIC (India) – an international wildlife trade monitoring network – observed that there was a huge gap in terms of available resources and requirement in the Forest Department that was badly hitting wildlife protection across the country.

He told The Hindu that the shortage was primarily due to the lesser importance that this department attracted from the Governments compared to other uniformed services such as the police and the paramilitary forces.

He was here to organise the workshop on ‘Strengthening Wildlife Law Enforcement and Conservation in India’.

Mismatch

“There is a mismatch in the availability of resources and the requirement,” he said.

He said that the estimated shortage of manpower and funds was in the range of 50 to 60 per cent.

With poaching on the rise, he said that more funds should be allotted to the Forest Department to recruit more personnel, equipping them with the state-of-the-art gadgets and better training with a scientific perspective.

Unlike other uniformed services where recruitments took place at regular intervals, in many States there was no recruitment in the Forest Department for years, the senior IFS officer claimed. “More young blood should be brought into the department. We cannot expect aged personnel to stay awake and maintain vigil besides running behind poachers,” he added.

Mr. Niraj said that a forest watcher or a guard had to monitor several square kilometres. The personnel, who were very poorly equipped, faced the threat of getting killed by poachers. “The fund allocation for modernisation is grossly inadequate,” he said.

Mr. Niraj pointed out that there were only two forensic laboratories in India - the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad and the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun – that had facilities for conducting wildlife forensics trials.

He said that this had resulted in delay in conducting forensic trials and disposal of wildlife offences.

“More such forensic laboratories exclusively for wildlife should be established in the regional level – for a cluster of States,” he said.

While there was a loud call for protecting the environment, the wildlife expert said that this would not be possible till the Governments gave more importance to the Forest Department.

He said that the Governments should fix five-year goals and allot funds to achieve them.


Source : The Hindu , 23rd Nov 2014

Intertek’s Boxborough, MA Laboratory Receives IECEE Accreditation for IEC 60601-1-2 4th Edition EMC Testing

Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, announced its Boxborough, MA, laboratory is the first lab in North America to receive accreditation to conduct electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing to the IEC 60601-1-2 4^th Edition standard for medical products by the IECEE. This accreditation allows Intertek to be on the forefront of helping to offer safe medical equipment and medical systems to the industry and consumers on a global level.

As electronic devices continue to become more commonplace in everyday life, medical devices that may be sensitive to EMC output from these devices need to be built to withstand potential interference (immunity). Increases in this immunity was a key update in the new 4^th edition of IEC 60601-1-2, as required immunity levels rose in several areas, including the range of testing for radiated immunity (up to 2.7GHz), magnetic immunity (up to 30A/m), and conducted immunity (up to 6V in ISM bands). These changes address increasing global and local EMC levels, helping to ensure the safe creation, development, and operation of medical devices in any location.

Intertek can provide testing to this level of EMC immunity due in part to its expertise in testing to military and aerospace standards, particularly MIL-STD-461F. This standard includes requirements for the control of electromagnetic interference with military-level equipment, and with experience in such testing, Intertek has the benefit of utilizing its large amplifier equipment that is able to emit EMC at the necessary testing levels.

“This is a substantial change in the IEC standard for Medical device EMC testing,” said John Quigley, Vice President of Quality, Intertek. “We had the unique combination of expertise and equipment to gain IECEE accreditation quickly and begin helping our clients get their products to market faster.” 

As medical device manufacturers prepare to meet the new requirements for this standard update, Intertek can assist with knowledge and information on how to be prepared for compliance. Intertek’s Boxborough laboratory also recently gained approval from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for expanded testing and certification services regarding medical devices, helping to offer a one-stop shop for testing needs in the medical industry.

For more information about Intertek’s services in general, or for particular specs of the new testing capabilities in Boxborough, contact Derek Silva at derek.silva@intertek.com.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com

Source : Sys.Con , 19th Nov 2014

Centre set to push key bills in session

The Centre is all set to introduce the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and Consumer Protections Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament, which is commencing from Monday next week.

The BIS Amendment Bill is aimed to give a major fillip to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for a “Make in India” campaign.

Ahead of introducing the bill in Parliament, Union minister for food and consumer affairs Ram Vilas Paswan has called a meeting of all state ministers on Monday to apprise them of the steps being taken to unveil the higher quality standard and mechanism to be put in place.

The two bills are likely to come up before the Union Cabinet for its final approval, as all necessary formalities, including vetting by the Union law ministry has been done, sources said.

The BIS law seeks to put in place the National Standards Body, which will monitor quality of the goods, their manufacturing yardsticks.

Even a number of services will be part of the new mechanism, which will come in force after the bill is passed by Parliament. “We have got very positive response from the industry and other stakeholders on the amendments being moved in the legislative proposal.

“We seek to put in place a robust system of quality standardisation and effective ways to protect the interests of the consumers,” said a senior official in the ministry.

The draft bill proposes that any organisation which contravenes any provision of the act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to one year, or a fine which may extend up to `5 lakh, or with both. The proposed National Standards Body to be set up will have powers to take action against unrecognised laboratories and hallmarking centres.

While currently a mere 108 products are covered under Bureau of Indian Standards label, about 19,000 of them will come under the ambit of the BIS standardisation once the law comes in force.

Besides, the goods imported will also come under the ambit of the BIS standards.

Similarly, amendments to the Consumer Protection Act seek to protect consumer rights by simplifying judicial process to ensure speedy and inexpensive justice.

The amended act will also cover the popular e-commerce platform as well.



Source : The Asian Age , 21st Nov 2014

Quality Council of India to raise quality of government services: Adil Zainulbhai

Quality Council of India chairperson Adil Zainulbhai, the first lateral hire in the Modi government, said improving the quality of government services is high on its agenda and several ministries and state governments have sought the Council's guidance on this front.

"Just because these (public) services are a monopoly and primarily provided by government to citizens, doesn't mean we shouldn't aspire to improve them to be of extraordinary quality," said Zainulbhai, who earlier headed Mckinsey India and was asked to steer the autonomous council in September. "Now, many government departments are reaching out to us and asking for help in improving the quality of services they offer to citizens. Some states also want to do this and have approached the Council," Zainulbhai told ET.



Source : 24 duniya.com , 21st Nov 2014

Union wants RFID tags for auto rickshaws, MGL raises safety risk

Illegal rickshaws, ones that are plying despite being shown as scrapped in the Regional Transport Office (RTO) record after their mandated 16-year lifespan, are increasing in number by the day, rickshaw unions said. The unions attribute the increase to lax policing by the traffic police and the RTO. The unions want a high-tech solution to the problem: Radio Frequency Identification tags (RFID or radio tags).

Union wants RFID for re-fuelling at CNG stations

The Mumbai Rickshawmen’s Union led by Thampi Kurien has been demanding that rickshaws be fitted with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, so that only authorised rickshaws get CNG from fuel pumps.

Union links RFID with public safety

According to Kurien, it is a pressing issue. “The authorities should be implementing RFID tags as soon as possible because we believe the number of illegal rickshaws has reached around 15 percent of all rickshaws on the road. In a year or two, it will be so high that we can spot them on almost all the streets. The fact that these illegal rickshaws are not hydrotested (mandatory once every three years) means their cylinders stand the risk of blowing up. Can the authorities still take it so lightly?” Kurien said.

Currently CNG stations in the city only check the ‘compliance’ or metal plate of the vehicle, before giving CNG. The compliance plate is embossed with the details of the vehicle’s CNG kit, date of hydrotesting and other details.

Kurien claimed that illegal rickshaw-owners forge these compliance plates for as little as Rs1,000.

RFID use not proven to be safe, counters MGL

In a written response to dna’s query about RFID tags, Mahanagar Gas Limited said, “The current RFID applications are not suitable for flammable applications. Gas cylinder sectional committee of the Bureau of Indian Standards debated on RFID use and has found it currently not suitable for CNG application (since CNG is a flammable gas).” Further in its statement, MGL said that the technology can be considered when it is made suitable for CNG applications and it is enforced across India by regulatory authorities.

Kurien and his team may meet MGL officials this week to press for the quick implementation of RFID tags for rickshaws in the city.

Routes illegal rickshaws are plying on, according to unions:
Share-auto routes near Jogeshwari station (east and west)
Internal roads in Malvani, Malad
Parts of Trombay, Mankhurd, and Govandi
Bandra terminus
Share-auto route between Kurla terminus and Kurla station


Source : DNA India , 18th Nov 2014

Govt orders quality checks on Chinese steel : New Delhi

Acting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to curb needless imports, the finance ministry has directed that specific Chinese steel products must be subjected to stringent quality checks before allowing them to enter the country’s hinterland.

 Of the total imports Boron added steel accounted for 80 per cent imports from China.

In an order issued to the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) on November 7, the finance ministry has said that Indian importers buying Chinese steel products like thermo-mechanically treated (TMT) bars, used extensively by the realty sector, will henceforth have to compulsorily secure certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at all entry points to the country.


The move is specifically aimed at Chinese steel makers exporting steel by adding boron in their product mix to bypass the defined quality standards of the steel ministry’s Quality Control Order 2012 and the commerce ministry’s import duty.


The Indian Express had reported on September 18 that steel ministry had expressed serious concerns over the burgeoning steel imports from China which during the second quarter of 2014-15 exceeded “the historic (quarterly) high” of 90 million tonnes.


The Indian Steel Association (ISA), the newly created umbrella body of the country’s leading steel companies, has written to the government on November 4 cautioning that imports of hot rolled coils, sheets and plates are up by 41 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal of which imports from China amounts to 111 per cent.


Of the total imports Boron added steel accounted for 80 per cent imports from China. Imports of colour coated steel from China has surged by 117 per cent in the first half of this fiscal, while wire rod imports have shot up by 110 per cent, the ISA said in its letter.

Source : The Indian Express , 17th Nov 2014

Quality consciousness gains momentum in health sector - Vijaywada

Hospitals are investing to improve standards in quality of service and safety of patients. The staff of hospitals, trying for NABH accreditation, have to be trained in Medical Device Safety Guidelines and management of medication and patient safety.

The health sector which growing rapidly is going through fast evolution. Hospitals which were content with good “success rate” in surgeries and “recovery rate” in ailments are now investing more time, effort and money in raising the standards in the quality of services rendered and the safety of the patients and employees.

The hospitals are looking to organisations like the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) to help them achieve their goal. Three hospitals of the city have already got NABH recognition.

These hospitals had to literally reinvent themselves to get the accreditation. Internal Medicine and Critical Care specialist and MD of Sentini Hospitals Padma Movva said getting the accreditation puts the hospital in a groove for continuous improvement. Starting with the operation theatres, the laboratory equipment, hospital records and training to the paramedical staff was evaluated and improved.

“Every action is documented. If a patient is suffering from fever, the attending nurse has to record every step taken to bring down the temperature,” she explained.

The documentation helped in improving the treatment and reducing errors.

Similarly the doctors and paramedics were required to explain the details of procedures (surgical) before taking the consent of the patient or family members. Separate consent forms were available with details for the different types of procedures, minimal invasive or otherwise, Dr Padma said.

The staff of hospitals, trying for NABH accreditation, have to be trained in Medical Device Safety Guidelines and management of medication and patient safety. The organisations have to become sensitive to ethical and legal issues, develop tools and techniques for continuous quality improvement and introduce clinical audit.

Accredited hospitals need medical tourism to thrive and be feasible. They have to look for sustenance until air connectivity improves to enable international patients to use the facilities here.



Source : The Hindu , 19th Nov 2014

BIS gives first licence on all-India basis for 3 products

National standards body BIS today said it has given the first licence on all-India basis for manufacturing fire-resistant cabinets, stainless steel spoons and threaded steel fasteners to three companies. The licence to manufacture fire-resistant cabinets, used for storing ledgers, account books and legal documents, was given to Madhya Pradesh-based firm Methodex Systems Ltd, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said in a release.

Another licence on all-India basis has been given to Haryana-based firm Shree Shakti Enterprises for manufacturing various types of stainless steel spoons.

BIS has also granted a license to West Bengal-based firm ASP Private Ltd for manufacturing threaded steel fasteners-like step bolts used for steel structures.

"Step bolts are used to gain access to the top of steel structures including transmission towers. As per standard, each bolt shall be supplied with two hexagon nuts. The requirements given in the standard are dimensions and tolerances, mechanical properties and the finish under the general requirements," the release said.

BIS, set up in 1947, carries out standardization activity in India. It develops Indian Standards for various products and goods in the country.

Source : The Economic Times , 18th Nov 2014

Minister for MSME inaugurates CII National Quality Summit 2014 Make in India Revolution: The Zero Defect & Zero Effect Way - Delhi

Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises inaugurated the 22nd CII National Quality Summit 2014 'Make in India Revolution: The Zero Defect & Zero Effect Way' here today.


Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stressed that the key focus of the 'Make in India' campaign entails ease of doing business; focuses on Public-Private partnerships and harnesses the potential of Democracy, Demography and Demand. The resultant development to India, he said, was a 'collective responsibility' and the role of the manufacturing sector in it would be significant, especially in promoting exports. Besides creating jobs, the boost to the manufacturing sector would be crucial to first develop our country and then avail of the Foreign Direct Investment opportunity to further the gains for national wellbeing. India, he noted, already had a number of competitive advantages. India's domestic market comprised over 600 million rural consumers; Indian workers wages were competitive; it has a large talent pool including a strong engineering ecosystem.


The Minister further added that the Governments New Manufacturing Policy had the vision to enhance the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% within a decade and creating 100 million jobs on a sustainable basis. Key policy instruments for achieving the above objective would include establishment of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs), self governing and Autonomous Bodies for Industrial Townships and proposals to improve access to finance for SMEs in the manufacturing sector. In this context, he lauded the launch of the ZED campaign which would go a long way to make Indian companies, especially the MSME sector, world class.


In line with the Prime Ministers speech and CIIs agenda to make India a Model Inclusive Nation with zero defects and maximum effect, the CII National Quality Summit discussed the way forward for India Inc to become Zero Defect, Zero Effect through an enabling environment; adopting excellence framework, systems and processes, incorporating the success factors of business models, consumer behavior, technology trends and future factories.


Present on the occasion were Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Quality Council of India (QCI), T.C. A. Ranganathan, Former Chairman & Managing Director, Export-Import Bank of India, N. Kumar, Chairman, CII Institute of Quality & Past President, CII & Vice Chairman, The Sanmar Group, R Mukundan, Co-Chairman, CII Institute of Quality & Managing Director, Tata Chemicals, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry.




Source : Business Standards , 19th Nov 2014

Dubai plans to vet organic food testing labs

Test results will be added assurance ‘organic food’ is really organic Authorities plan to accredit food testing labs to boost organic food certification, an official said.

The local test results will be an added assurance the food is organic.

There are many products in Dubai shops that claim to be organic and authorities are working to verify those claims.

Organic food is meant to be free of pesticides, hormones and chemicals. Many consumers pay more for organic food believing it is healthier. Industry sources estimate the UAE organic market is valued at more than $100 million-$150 million (Dh367.2 million-Dh550.80 million) per year.

All organic products must be registered with Dubai Municipality, a municipality official told Gulf News on Tuesday.

Naseem Abdullah, head of consumer products inspection section of the municipality's public health and safety department, said the municipality checks if documents related to the product are genuine and valid.

Many of the products are imported and their documents issued by non-UAE governments or organic certification or accreditation bodies. The municipality investigates the veracity of the paperwork, including any overseas test results.

However, the plan is to accredit Dubai or UAE-based labs so they too can confirm the product is organic, Naseem said.

The independent third-party lab test results will be recognised by authorities such as Dubai Municipality and Dubai Accreditation Centre provided the labs qualify for accreditation.

It is possible the accreditation could be valid on the national level, she added.

However, the Emirates Authority and Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) already issues a conformity certificate for organic products, its website says.

It says the certificate assures compliance with "requirements of the approved standards and [that] the production system is complying with the requirements... specified in the technical regulation by [Esma]."

In 2012, a senior official had told Gulf News organic farms in the UAE and imported organic foods were being certified by Esma for the first time.

The Ministry of Environment and Water official had said the move followed regulation initiated by the ministry in 2012. At the time, 17 farms in the UAE had been certified and others were under process.

Naseem said in order for Dubai's organic certification scheme to reach its full potential, "we need to make sure there are certain labs with accreditation. We can't be relying only on documents for 100 per cent [of the process]."

She added it was possible the lab accredidation scheme could go national, but stressed any such plan "has not yet been finalised. It is a process, and any detailed process can take time."

Her comments came on the sidelines of a press conference announcing the Middle East Natural and Organic Product Expo scheduled for November 25-27 in Dubai. More than 125 companies in the field are taking part in the two-day event.


Source : Gulf News Via Yahoo , 19th Nov 2014

Metropolis Healthcare wins Emerging Companies Excellence Awards 2014 : Gujrat

Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, The Pathology Specialist bagged the prestigious Business Today-Yes Bank Emerging Companies Excellence Awards 2014 in Productive Employment Creation. The Business Today-Yes Bank awards are aimed at finding hidden gems from unlisted companies with revenues between INR 200 crore - INR 1,500 crore.

The award is a testimony to Metropolis' commitment as a company in providing employees with opportunities for sustainable growth and development. In the last 10 years, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. has expanded from a 1 Laboratory facility in 1 City with 50 employees in 2003, to a multinational chain of diagnostics centers with a 125 labs across 7 countries servicing 350 cities & towns with a team of 4000 happy employees today. This award is thus recognition of an organization which creates value across stakeholders, an accomplishment indeed, over a decade.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Ameera Shah, Managing Director & CEO, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd said, "We are highly privileged to receive the recognition and would like to thank my entire team for their dedication, hard work and continuous support towards making the vision come true. Today we are amongst the largest multinational chain of diagnostic players in India and we take the onus of progressing at a fast pace and creating many more success stories in the future".Business Today-Yes Bank Emerging Companies Excellence Awards 2014 brings to the fore companies that have shown tremendous growth in the past few years. The project focuses on innovation led growth, combined with inherent strengths and unwavering resilience has set emerging corporates to evolve as WINNERS par excellence.These unique awards endeavor to bring together growth-focused, innovative and success-driven emerging companies on a common platform and acknowledge the success & spirit of excellence.

Notes to Editor

ABOUT METROPOLIS HEALTHCARE LTD.

At Metropolis, what we believe is what we say and what we say is what we do. Being empathetic to our customers and being committed to their needs is in our DNA. Metropolis has grown to harness a culture that is open, synergistic, progressive and scientific in nature.

We are the Pathology Specialists delivering over 15 million tests a year, catering to more than 10,000 Laboratories, Hospitals, Nursing homes and 2,00,000 Consultants. With 33 years of experience in delivering accurate reports, Metropolis has earned the reputation of being India's most respected and only multinational chain of diagnostic centres with presence in UAE, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius and Ghana. Driven to make a difference, our wide network includes 125 state-of-art Laboratories across India with over 800 collection centres, processing over 4500 varieties of tests and supported by an efficient team of over 4000 people. Equipped with cutting edge technology, innovative work equipment, expansive logistics network and rigorous processes, Metropolis ensures and delivers precision and accuracy in every single test; each time, every time.

In the last 10 years, Metropolis has expanded into new service lines like Clinical Trials, Hospital Lab Management, Home Health Services, Preventive Health Check-ups and Corporate & Wellness Solutions. Metropolis is at the forefront in adopting cutting edge technologies and services that contribute new revenue streams and has positioned the company on the pedestal it is today.

Today, we are one of the few laboratories that has received the CAP (College of American Pathologists), accreditation, the global gold standard in Laboratory Accreditation. 12 of our laboratories in India has received the NABL Accreditation (National Accreditation Board for testing and Calibration Laboratories). In addition, the central laboratory in Mumbai also adheres to CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) program and also follows the guidelines laid by GCP and GLP. Our unit in South Africa is accredited by SANAS (South African National Accreditation System is the only accreditation body approved by South African Government).

Metropolis has been awarded numerous accolades like the 'Best Diagnostic Company of the year' by Modern Medicare in 2006 and 'Best Diagnostic Company of the Year' in 2010 by Frost & Sullivan. Metropolis was also bestowed with 'Best IT Integration in Customer Service Management' at the e-Health World Expo 2011. Metropolis was also honoured with the 'Quality Brand Award' by NEHRDO in 2012. Metropolis won the 'CMO Asia Award' for Best IT practices in Healthcare in 2012. Metropolis Healthcare also bagged the Emerging Companies Excellence Award in the Productive Employment category hosted by Yes Bank and Business Today.

Metropolis Healthcare is led by Ameera Shah, Managing Director & CEO. An International & National Award winners, she was conferred with 'The Young entrepreneur of the Year Award' by GE in 2006 and 'The Young Achiever of the Year Award' at the CMO Asia Awards in 2011. She was also the recipient of the prestigious 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award' in 2011 organised by Entrepreneur India and Bloomberg. She has been honoured with 'Women Leadership award' at the World Women Leadership and Congress awards 2014. Recently she has been chosen as one of the most respected leaders under 40 years by Economic Times & Spencer Stuart (2014).

Source : India PR Wire , 18th Nov 2014

Government to disband Development Council for Sugar Industry - New Delhi

Aiming to weed out archaic laws and committees, the Food Ministry has decided to disband the 56-year old Development Council for Sugar Industry (DCSI) saying the statutory body is no longer relevant after decontrol and de-licencing of the sugar sector.

DCSI was set up way back in 1954 under the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act. The Council looked into issuance of licences for setting up of new sugar mills and other issues related to the sector. DCSI has normally been reconstituted after expiry of two years tenure.

"DCSI has no relevance today especially after the sugar industry has been de-licenced and decontrolled. There is little rationale to continue the council and we have decided not to reconstitute DCSI," a senior Food Ministry official said.

The 25-member Council will be disbanded and a notification in this regard will be issued soon, the official said.

That apart, the Food Ministry has decided to do away with a sub-committee on sugar standards functioning under the DCSI.

The official said, "Since the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are looking into sugar standards issue, there is no point continuing with the the Standing Advisory Committee on Sugar Standards (SACSS) under DCSI."

The Ministry has decided that the DCSI's another sub- committee, Standing Research Advisory Committee (SRAC), will be shifted under the existing 'Sugar Development Fund Standing Committee.' The sub-committee will be renamed as 'Grant-in-aid for Research Projects'

"This has been done to streamline the committees to avoid confusion," the official said.

The sugar industry was de-licenced in 1998 and the requirement of licence for setting up new sugar mills was dispensed with.

In May 2013, the government removed some more key controls in the sugar sector. 

 

 

Source : Economic Times , 4th Nov 2014 

Centre urges Odisha to promote alternate use of jute bags - Odhisa

Amid decline in demand for jute sacking bags, the Union textiles ministry has urged the Odisha government to promote alternate use of jute bags for packaging of potatoes and other vegetables apart from food grains.

The ministry's suggestion is aimed at safeguarding the interests of jute growers and jute farmers.

“Mandatory packaging of paddy/rice in jute bags by the local rice mills of your state may be ensured which would generate sizeable demand of B Twill sacking. This may be further supplemented by taking up use of jute packaging in food grains as well as for potatoes and other vegetables. Bags suitable for such packaging have already been developed”, Sanjay Kumar Panda, Union textiles ministry said in a letter to Odisha chief secretary G C Pati.

The demand for jute bags is on the wane, resulting in closure and reduction in the shifts of some jute mills, leading to unemployment
and under-employment of jute mill workers.

The ministry has also asked the state government to consider use of jute geo-textiles in road construction, riverbank protection and hill slope management.

Referring to jute geo-textiles, the ministry said the jute industry in collaboration with the R&D (research and development) institutions, has developed several varieties of jute geo-textiles for different applications. It has been further established that in West Bengal such geo-textiles would prove very useful in three major areas of its applications- road construction, river bank protection and slope management.

Jute geo-textiles have been well accepted by some other states and also by the Indian Railways for different applications. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have published three standards for the geo-textiles and the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), the apex standard making body on highways in the country, has recognised its utility in road construction and prevention of soil erosion and landslides.

The ministry pointed out that the National Jute Board (NJB) can provide the necessary technical guidance on the matter. The NJB has been promoting manufacture of jute diversified products.



Source : Business Standard , 4th Nov 2014

Accreditation for Shanti Memorial - Cuttack

The Shanti Memorial Hospital here has achieved a major milestone by becoming the first in the city to get National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) certification.

The accreditation assures top of the class patient-care services, quality treatment, medication management, patient safety, records and infection control.

The accreditation was offered after two years of rigorous assessment. Shanti Memorial Hospital is the 232nd hospital in the country to be accorded NABH certification, CMD Dr Srijoy Patnaik said.

The hospital is also planning to expand beyond Cuttack. “We have applied for land in Bhubaneswar for setting up a 100-bed multi-speciality hospital,” Dr Patnaik said.

Source : The New Indian Express , 12 Nov 2014 

Ramesh Hospitals become first cardiac hospital to get NABH accreditation in Andhara Pradesh - Vijaywada

The first cardiac hospital in the coastal AP-Ramesh Hospitals-has received the prestigious recognition from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) when it has been granted with accreditation for qualitative health care services. Ramesh Hospitals created yet another record by getting NABH certification as it is the first cardiac hospital to get such recognition in AP.


Giving the details here on Friday, hospital chief, Dr.P Ramesh Babu said that NABH certification is an indication of their commitment to the patient care and services. He said that they have begun journey with just 6-beds and 6-staff members way back in 1988 as the first cardiac hospital in the coastal AP when no one ventured to set up such an institute outside then capital-Hyderabad. He said that they have upgraded the hospital when then president of India, Dr.Sankar Dayal Sarma inaugurated the sophisticated cathlab in 1996 and became first hospital to carryout angiographic procedures from Kolkata to Chennai. Dr.Ramesh Babu said that NABH accreditation is recognition for the meticulous procedures followed by the hospital in health care and hospital services with experienced specialists and modern equipment. "We have performed almost 11000 heart surgeries with 99 percent success rate which is really rare," said Dr.Ramesh.


He explained that they have already carried out over 53000 cath procedures and 8000 angioplasties. He said that theirs was the only hospital recognized by Centre to DNB-Cardiology and Cardio-thoracic surgery courses in AP. "We are going to have another prestigious hospital in Guntur where we are planning to carry out heart and liver transplantations," said Dr.Ramesh Babu. Hospital director P Ravikiran and MC Das were present.



Source : TOI , 14th Nov 2014

NE has potential to be SE Asia’s healthcare hub, says NABH chief - Guwahati

Chief executive officer of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), K K Kalra, on Saturday said the northeast has the potential to be a major healthcare centre in South East Asia if it can overcome certain hurdles.

Kalra, who was in the city to attend a healthcare conference organized by Integrated Ventures, a city-based health consultancy firm, in coordination with NABH, said the focus should be on creating awareness about NABH accreditation and the ways of achieving the coveted tag.

The northeast does not lack standard healthcare service providers but an acute shortage of manpower in this sector needs to be addressed, he said.

"I am quite happy with the presence of stakeholders. It shows they are committed to providing better services in this sector. The northeast has a lot of potential and, once the challenges are met, it can become one of the major healthcare centres in South East Asia," Kalra added.

NABH was set up in 2006 with a view to providing accreditation to healthcare organizations. At present, only 250 hospitals in the country have NABH accreditation, a constituent board of the Quality Council of India.

The board functions to address consumer needs and to set benchmarks for the country's health industry.

Some of the major objectives of the conference, which was attended by over 130 stakeholders from all over the region, were to generate awareness amongst healthcare professionals and discuss recent developments in NABH standards.

The financial implications of delivering quality healthcare service were discussed, as were the challenges in maintaining hospitals.

"The theme was 'Quality: A Tool to Enhance and Sustain Patient Experience'. The northeast has only one NABH-accredited hospital. Such accreditations can be obtained only after a third party evaluates the workings of a health institution. It is not that hospitals here do not want to get evaluated. What is needed is awareness on how to approach NABH and meet the norms," said Jyoti Rama Das, managing partner, Integra Ventures.



Source : TOI , 16th Nov 2014

AIMED inks pact with QCI & NABCBs for self-certification of medical devices

With a view to boost confidence of industry, the Association of Indian Medical Devices Industry (AIMED) recently entered into memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Accreditation Board of Certifying Bodies (NABCBs) and Quality Control of India (QCI). Through this initiative which is also done with the support of the commerce ministry, the association plans to build trust in Indian medical devices in terms of credibility and reliability, in lines with best international practices and standards worldwide.


Most importantly, this move aims to bring in some regulatory semblance within the sector in the wake of absence of an appropriate regulatory framework in the country. The association believes that this self certification initiative will help in setting much needed standards for the industry, which the sector has been time and again demanding to the government.


Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator of AIMED informed that while details need to be worked out by the steering committee, the basic vision and strategic plan is to have a non corrupt professional system, whereby competent confirmatory assessment bodies (CABs) in India accredited by NABCB or IAF will provide low cost self certification to access Indian manufacturers for ISO 13485 / BIS 15579 certificates for medium and high risk devices.


He further informed that this move will change and bring in a paradigm shift for the market of 10 medical devices notified as drugs since 2005, which still continues to be incorrectly and incompletely regulated. Industry experts alleged that in spite of repeated representation to the centre, the government has hardly made any move to address the issues of the industry in a progressive way.


He pointed out, “Since the ministry of health and CDSCO seem to be in no rush to correctly and appropriately regulate the industry, the industry felt the need to do so. This will enable the Indian industry not only to demonstrate their quality in India but also prepare them for CE marking and facilitate exports if they are interested.”


It is understood that audit will be done only by trained, certified, competent experts accredited by these CABs, with special focus on compliance to the essential principles of patient safety (GHTF). Also, they would ensure compliance to labelling requirements for consumer protection.


"So far Indian companies had to rely on foreign certifying bodies like Intertek, TUV, BSI etc to certify their plants if they wished to export to Europe or other countries. Through this initiative we will now provide a platform of low cost but a reliable and trustworthy certification that will enable Indian patients and procurement and healthcare providers have trust in medical device industry certified by locally available auditing companies," Nath concluded.



Source : Pharmabiz , 13th Nov 2014

Green buildings aren't that green

So are green buildings really green? I want to follow up on our discussions on this critical issue. The building sector is set to grow exponentially. It already has a huge environmental footprint - the domestic and commercial sectors consume some 30 per cent of India's electricity. So the imperative to go green is clear. The question is where India is and where it should go.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has issued the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) to improve the energy performance of buildings. It is expected that an ECBC-compliant building will use anywhere between 40 and 60 per cent less energy than its conventional counterpart. State governments are now adopting this code in their building permissions - Odisha and Rajasthan have made it mandatory. But enforcement of this code - which is largely prescriptive in terms of building design - remains a challenge.

The code itself has problems but these can be fixed in its next revision. The problem is bigger, when you understand that the code is for building design, with certain assumptions that its implementation will reduce energy use. But a big problem is that the use of the code in design is not linked to the actual performance of the building after it has been commissioned.

What the BEE has in addition is a voluntary star rating scheme, which sets the Energy Performance Index (EPI) of four categories of buildings -day use office, IT/BPO (with extended hours of work), hospitals and retail malls. The EPI is calculated differently for different climatic zones - hot and dry, temperate, composite, and warm and humid. But the rating, which is for an operational building, has no direct link to the ECBC. So there is no data to show what the design has actually achieved and there is no feedback loop that would improve design based on operational experience. Also, as yet, the BEE has not rated any building based on its index.

There are two other green-building certifying agencies in the country. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) started out as a United States initiative but is now wholly Indian and is promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre. It runs a certification programme that rates buildings platinum, gold or silver, based on different criteria. Delhi-based The Energy and Resources Institute has its Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA). Many state governments provide fiscal incentives and even bonus floor area ratio, or FAR, to builders who produce green certificates from these agencies.

The actual proof will, however, be in the actual data on the use of energy and water in a commissioned building. But there is little data on this. In other words, governments are giving away largesse without any verification. A few months ago, the IGBC put on its website information on the actual energy and water consumption of 50 of the buildings it had rated, out of some 450 in total. When my colleagues at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysed this data, all hell broke loose.

Why? Because we found that many reputed companies that had been given platinum rating were actually energy and water guzzlers. Obviously, this is not easy for companies to accept. The CII has written on their behalf arguing that we have got our analysis wrong because we have mixed up the typologies for the buildings. So, they say, ITC Saharanpur is a factory building, which has been compared to an office building. But IGBC gives its rating only for the office operations of a "factory". The CSE in its analysis used the EPI set by the BEE for an office building and found that as against the EPI of 190 for a composite climate, the ITC building has an EPI of 379, which is almost double.

Wipro in Gurgaon is an IT building, with server loads operating for 24 hours. It has been compared against performance benchmarks for an office building, says the CII. But the CII misses the fact that when the CSE compared the same building using the EPI for an IT/BPO complex - calculated as the annual average hourly EPI to take into account its extended hours - it exceeded the energy limits for them as well. Similarly, Wipro's office in Kolkata was found to be more than nine times higher than the minimum benchmark set by the BEE for a warm and humid climate.

The CSE analysis also finds that there are IGBC-rated buildings that match or are below the EPI set for their category for their climatic zone. So something is working, and we hope the CII and its partners will ask how they can learn from the best example so that expensive green features pay off in terms of performance.

More importantly, regulators need to get their act together on this issue. The CSE analysis is based on self-disclosure by companies, which is not verified or audited. The government needs to build a credible system of assurance, so that it can really push what is green, and not just what looks green from the outside but may be brown inside. It is time, as we say, to go beyond the green façade.

---

For more on this see CSE's publication Building Sense: Beyond the Green Façade of Sustainable Habitats. The writer is at the CSE
E.mail : sunita@cseindia.org
Twitter: @sunitanar  

Source : Business Standard , 26th October 2014

NE hospitals fall short of healthcare norms : Guwahati

With only one hospital in the northeast meeting the norms laid down by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a huge gap has been revealed in quality health management in the region.

Bridging this gap is one of the many challenges faced by health service providers in the northeast.

Obstacles in generating an effective health service machinery stem from a lack of awareness about quality management among both government and private players in the health sector. 

A conference on the theme 'Quality: A Tool to Enhance and Sustain Patient Experience' will be held next month with the support of NABH to generate awareness about quality assurance in health services.

"The conference will aim to overcome the challenges in managing both government and private hospitals. The health service sector here needs proper guidelines. People running the health institutes do not know what steps have to be taken," said Jyoti Rama Das, managing partner, Integra Ventures, a city-based health consultancy firm.

NABH was set up to provide accreditation to healthcare organizations in the country. At present, only 250 hospitals in the country have received NABH accreditation, a constituent board of quality council of India. The board addresses the needs of consumers and sets benchmarks for the health industry in the country.

Many feel the standards and benchmarks laid down by NABH are deemed too strict and standardized to be followed.

The need of the hour is to improvise quality management in new and existing hospitals in the region. Accessibility and affordability of healthcare are some of the factors to be looked into in the region, feel those involved in healthcare.


Source : TOI , 28th October 2014

TERI's Solar lighting laboratory first in India to receive NABL accreditation

The Solar Lighting Laboratory (SLL), which was recently set up by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi, will be the first laboratory in India to receive accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL) for IEC 62257-9-5 standards, applicable to stand-alone lighting for rural electrification.

 

The laboratory adheres to International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) (IEC is an international body that sets standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies throughout the world) standards for the testing of solar lighting systems (SLS), and has been recognized under the Lighting Global programme of International Finance Corporation (IFC). The laboratory is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.

 

Dr Leena Srivastava, Executive Director, TERI, and Vice Chancellor, TERI University, said: “We are proud to receive this recognition from NABL and feel privileged to be able to offer yet another service in support of sustainable development. Awareness on lighting quality and needs as well as on the life-cycle economics of different products is extremely poor in the regions where these are needed most. We hope to be able to provide all stakeholders with the information that would help them make informed choices while being sensitive to concerns of confidentiality.”

Mr Amit Kumar, Adjunct Professor, TERI University, and Chief Executive, Solar Lighting Laboratory said “While there are several dedicated programmes on solar lighting, there is   a huge gap in getting the right kind of   quality lighting solution for specific applications. This laboratory will help companies to improve their product quality in accordance with the international norms thereby ensuring that the consumers get the quality lighting product”.

 

As of now, the laboratory has tested more than 170 models of solar lighting systems including solar lanterns, solar home lighting systems, solar task lights and multi-purpose solar lights.

 

The laboratory is unique as it caters to the testing needs of both rural as well as urban lighting infrastructure. It is working towards strong quality assurance and testing programmes, which will help in building consumer confidence towards solar lighting products. The IFC’s Lighting Asia – India programme is working with TERI to achieve these goals.

As a way forward, it is planned that these programmes are linked to several other groups or programmes that require general lighting system (GLS) testing. The next generation testing equipment and programmes for high quality assurance can lead to the transformation of the laboratory into a nodal agency for general (solar) lighting system testing not only for India, but also for countries in Southeast Asia.



Source : India Education Diary , 29th October 2014

Rajasthan government keen to upgrad quality of blood banks : Jaipur

Blood banks in the government-run hospitals will apply for certification of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) by ensuring best quality services to patients.


The state government has prepared a proposal to seek NABH certification for its blood banks.


According to health department officials, all blood banks would be accredited in phased manner. In the first phase, they will take up blood banks in medical colleges, to be accredited by March 2015. They are targeting to procure the certification for grade district hospitals by September 2015. Also, by March 2016, they are planning to procure the certification of NABH for satellite district hospitals. 

Health department's joint director (blood safety) Dr Ashok Jain said, "As per initial plans, the accreditation will be done in phased manner."


According to the health department officials, the blood banks will get the certification after they ensure that they have the quality of services as per NABH norms.


Now, the health department has started strengthening blood banks in the state. There are 45 blood banks run by health department in various hospitals.


The NABH certification is awarded to blood banks which fulfill norms of NABH in quality of services delivered to the recipient and donors of blood. The behaviour of staff at blood banks is an important aspect as they need to understand the need of the recipient as well as the donor coming to blood banks. Also, equipments, facilities and service delivery are some of the key points on which the government is working to improve and strengthening the blood banks. The government is taking it on a priority basis and reviewing the progress of it every month. The government is also encouraging voluntary blood donations by organizing camps for it.



Source : TOI , 27th October 2014

“Packaged drinking water sans ISI mark should not be sold’’

The Bureau of Indian Standards on Thursday said that packaged drinking water should not be sold without its mark called ISI (Indian Standards Institute). The regulatory body stated that water packaged drinking units bearing ISI certification are under constant monitoring for compliance with standards.

                                           M.A.J.Vinod. 

Joint Director, BIS, M.A.J.Vinod said the packaged drinking units are not supposed to sell without ISI certification to their products.

Joint Director, BIS, M.A.J.Vinod said the packaged drinking units are not supposed to sell without ISI certification to their products.

Participating in a consumer awareness programme, the Joint- Director said, “Whenever any enterprise approaches us, we grant licence if they are found fit and able to pack and manufacture the product as per IS 14543 for packaging drinking water. That is the main scope of the BIS. Further monitoring and surveillance are also being done by us.”

Stating the BIS has no role to play against those who do not have ISI mark, he added only if somebody misuses ISI mark, the BIS will take action and will take them to court. The misuse of such mark will attract either fine upto Rs.50,000 or imprisonment up to six months.

With respect to quality of drinking water, Mr. Vinod added that it has been being constantly monitored and ‘market’ samples continuously taken. Every company was audited and performance ascertained. Based on satisfactory performances only, further renewal would be done for licence.

Online complaint
Explaining about the new redressal mechanism introduced by the BIS, Mr. Vinod said, “Any complaint can be registered with Bureau of India Standards (BIS) through our website. There is link called ‘Online complaints’ through which any customer register the complaint. They need not come physically to our office and they can send their grievances to our website. It will be looked into. If the complaint is found genuine, the replacement of the product will be made.”


Source : The Hindu , 31st October 2014

CCI Rejects Case Against CPWD, MP PWD on Abuse of Power

The Competition Commission has rejected charges of abuse of dominant position against Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Madhya Pradesh's PWD related to getting accreditation for product-testing laboratories.


A complaint had alleged that the public workd department under Madhya Pradesh government had imposed unfair condition that 10-20 per cent samples be tested from a lab accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).

Besides, it had alleged that CPWD imposed a condition in the course of approving the outside private laboratories that the laboratory must be NABL approved.

According to the complaint even though there were three accreditation bodies in the country, the two departments were promoting NABL, consequently, affecting the business of those laboratories which are not accredited with NABL.

In an order dated October 29, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said that it found "prima facie case, no case of contravention of the provisions of...The (Competition) Act" against the departments.

"The activities being performed by the opposite parties do not come under the definition of enterprise in terms of the Act as they are not directly engaged in any economic and commercial activities," CCI said.

"The opposite parties have no existence in the relevant market, except for laying down norms as to the authorisation of accreditation bodies for specific purposes," the regulator said, adding that the departments role was limited to planning, designing, construction and maintenance of government assets.


"Therefore, the conduct of the opposite parties does not give rise to any competition concern," it added.


NABL is an autonomous body established by the government with the objective to provide government, industry and associations with a scheme for third-party assessment of the quality and technical competence of testing and calibration laboratories.


The government has authorised NABL as the sole accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories, the order said.



Source : Outlook , 31st October 2014

Certification for centre in Chennai

Sri Ramachandra University has received ‘Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Certification’ for its pre-clinical toxicology centre, a press release said. This means, the data generated by the centre will be acceptable worldwide, according to the release.

S. Thanikachalam, director of the centre, said it was a state-of-the-art, standalone pre-clinical facility that performed toxicological and genetic-toxicological investigations of pharmaceutical products on small animals like mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The centre has 12 sections, and is staffed by research scientists with experience in toxicological sciences, and animal caretakers.

S. Abhaya Kumar, CEO and MD of Shasun Pharmaceuticals, handed over the certificate to chancellor M.R. Venkataachalam and Dr. Thanikachalam. He said Indian drug manufacturers are facing the biggest challenge in maintaining quality and eddicacy of medicines as global standards keep rising.

J.S.N. Murthy, vice-chancellor, and S.P. Thyagarajan, dean, research, also participated in the event, the release said.



Source : The Hindu , 1st November 2014