Agreeing that quality standards are essential for promoting trade, India’s Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Piyush Goyal, highlighted the country’s efforts to move away from the outdated practice of having two standards – one for local consumption and another for export products.
In his address at the G-20 Standards Dialogue, Goyal emphasized that India aims to ensure that every product manufactured in the country meets high-quality standards. The objective is to provide consumers with reassurance of quality without having to rely on alternate products.
Goyal stressed that policy-making in India is oriented towards achieving this goal.
Goyal also drew a parallel between standards and patents, stating that those who control and maintain high-quality standards will have control over markets, prices, and processes, and ultimately emerge as leaders in manufacturing and innovation. He acknowledged the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) role in this regard, emphasizing that standards act as a passport to trade.
India is making significant progress in encouraging consumers to demand high-quality goods and services, while simultaneously providing producers with sufficient time to adopt these new quality standards. Goyal assured that the government aims to facilitate this transition rather than disrupt it, supporting the efforts of businesses to compete on equal terms globally.
The minister stressed the importance of individual conviction among stakeholders in ensuring quality, asserting that it cannot be merely enforced through regulations. With eight billion consumers worldwide desiring better quality, Goyal stated the need to balance local requirements with global standards that are acceptable universally.
In this regard, he underscored the significance of transitioning towards world-class standards in developing countries, emphasizing collective commitment and a calibrated approach.
Goyal also emphasized the need for collaboration and learning from both developed nations and emerging economies, highlighting the potential benefits for countries that produce quality goods and services.
He advocated for the G-20 Standards Dialogue to become a regular forum to support countries lacking robust systems. By working together and upholding standards, holistic development and a sustainable future can be achieved.
