May 2020

Today, many products require testing for conformance with specifications or compliance with safety or other regulations before they can be put on many markets. Even simpler products may require supporting technical documentation that includes test data. With so much trade taking place across borders, it may just not be practical for these activities to be carried out by suppliers and customers, but rather by specialized third parties. In addition, national legislation may require such testing to be carried out by independent bodies, particularly when the products concerned have health or environmental implications. In fact, conformity assessment has become an important component of world trade which is most often carried out by specialist organizations, such as inspection and certification bodies and testing laboratories. QCI coordinates programmes for conformity assessment and related processes.

Nearly 67 per cent of imported toys have failed the testing survey of the Quality Council of India (QCI). According to the survey report, 66.90 per cent of imported toys failed the test, and only 33.10 per cent passed all the tests. The testing was conducted by the QCI on toys available in the markets of Delhi and NCR.

The Quality Council of India (QCI) works for the promotion of Quality Standards across various economic and social sectors such as manufacturing, education, health and environment. The QCI has been established as a National body for Accreditation on the recommendation of Expert Mission of EU after consultation in Inter-Ministerial Task Force, Committee of Secretaries and Group of Ministers through a Cabinet decision in 1996. Accordingly, the QCI was set up through a PPP model as an independent autonomous organization with the support of Government of India and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations, (i) Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), (ii) Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and (iii) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). 

The Quality Council of India ensures sustainable and inclusive interventions in Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a vital part of the Indian economy, contributing to over 45% of industrial production and around 40% of the total exports. They are the largest contributor in terms of employment generation in the manufacturing sector. Thus QCI is aiding Indian citizens as a value proposition towards the Indian economy.