India is the fastest growing market for the e-commerce sector. According to quoted figures, the revenue from the e-commerce sector is expected to increase from USD 39 billion in 2017 to USD 120 billion in 2020, growing at an annual rate of 51 percent, the highest in the world. Most of this growth is credited to the increasing funding received from across the world since 2009 and also to the higher engagement with the consumer base on account of increase in internet and smartphone penetration in India.

Just to outline, there are two models of e-commerce activities viz: Inventory based model-where inventory of goods and services is owned by the e-commerce entity and is sold to the customers directly. FDI is not permitted in such inventory-based model of e-commerce. Marketplace based model-where the e-commerce entity provides only information technology platform on a digital and electronic network to act as a facilitator between buyer and seller. 100% FDI is permitted under automatic route under this model, subject to certain conditions.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Prime Minister Narendra Damodar Modi and BJP Government has brought in another Masterpiece legislation which is a Point Blank hit to online Retail Giants like Flipkart and Amazon. This is the Era of E-commerce from clothes to groceries, from furniture to electronics you and me buy everthing online  as a result of which, Jeff Bezos Founder , CEO, Chairman of Amazon ( Apni Dukaan) is one of the richest in the World whereas small retailers in your community, neighbourhood (actually apni dukaan) are vanishing day by day as they are unable to cope up with the hefty discounts and exclusive sale agreement of these big shots. However the Indian Government has come to their rescue by presenting the Latest E-commerce Policy of India, 2018.

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.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (hereinafter referred to as ‘BIS’) through BIS Act, 2016 operates a product certification scheme for standardization of goods that enter the market for sale to consumers. The Government had introduced the product certification scheme to ensure that goods made available to consumers are of a standard quality and safe for being used, as per the prescribed standards/ parameters. These parameters/ standards prescribed by BIS, have to be adhered to prior to the products being made available to consumers.