OVERVIEW

1^st JANUARY 2023

The Laboratory Glassware (Quality Control) Order, introduced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on January 1, 2024, plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining quality standards for laboratory glassware. This order, which comes into effect six months from its publication in the Official Gazette, emphasizes the importance of conformity to specific Indian Standards outlined in the accompanying Table. According to the BIS QCO for the laboratory glassware (glass beakers) items falling within the scope of this order are mandated to adhere to the corresponding Indian Standard mentioned in the Table. The use of the Standard Mark is compulsory, and manufacturers need to obtain a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards under Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Notably, the order excludes its application to goods or articles manufactured domestically for export.

To further streamline compliance, the BIS QCO for the laboratory glassware (glass beakers) provides distinct timelines for small and micro enterprises, as defined by the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006. Micro enterprises are given twelve months, while small enterprises are provided with nine months from the date of publication for compliance.

The Bureau of Indian Standards takes on the pivotal role of the certifying and enforcing authority, ensuring that the specified goods or articles meet the required quality standards. This comprehensive regulatory framework is designed to safeguard public interest, promote uniformity, and enhance the overall quality of laboratory glassware in the market as per BIS QCO for the laboratory glassware (glass beakers).

(Glass beakers are cylindrical vessels with a flat bottom, featuring a spout for pouring liquids and graduated markings for volume measurements, commonly used in laboratories for various scientific applications.)

TABLE

QCO - Quality Control Order