CERC's history in policy-making
CERC has always actively advocated for the formulation and/or modification of policies, Standards, and Laws which would strengthen consumer protection. CERC over the years has implemented Projects, programs and activities, surveys for research and advocacy, product testing for safety aspects, to generate information which can be used for a dual purpose: to educate and empower consumers as well as shared with various Government departments both at the Centre and State, Regulators and National Standards Body, BIS and various international organizations for making or amending Policies & Standards.
CERC is also represented on various International Regulatory Committees, such as the Advisory Board of ISO COPOLCO Geneva, where global Consumer Policy-related Guidelines are formulated.
CERC significantly influences policy by providing research, data, and expert feedback to the
Government. It actively advocates for new laws and changes, using market reports and consumer insights. Disseminating information and raising public awareness helps create demand for action. CERC also empowers other consumer groups and establishes legal precedents through judicial action. Its core function is to ensure robust consumer protection and rights in India.
CERC's role in BIS Standards
Collaborating with national and international bodies to create Indian standards that ensure product safety, quality, and sustainability. CERC has been instrumental in amendments to about 20+ national standards in India. CERC is represented on the Governing Board/Council of the Bureau of Indian Standards, BIS, New Delhi.
CERC presently serves as an expert on over 25 +Technical Committees of BIS, of FAD (Food & Agriculture) CHD (Chemical) & Environmental areas where her activities include drafting of consensus-based development of Indian Standards, actively participate and give expert inputs in Technical committee meetings and vote, when required, take up the review/revision/amendments of the existing standards based on the latest technological advancements, Constitute sub-committees/Panel/Working group and appoint their Conveners. The CEO of CERC is also a member of the CAG (Chair’s Advisory Group) and a Member of the ISO-COPOLCO (ISO Committee on Consumer Policy). CERC is also represented in various electro-technical committees, such as ET-32, ET-10, and the National Mirror Committee of ISO-COPOLCO.
(BIS represents India in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the World Standards Service Network (WSSN).
| Name of Product | CERC’s role in the making of Standards: Suggestions/comments sent to BIS | Amendments published to the Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fried Potato Chips IS: 12575 1989 | BIS should suggest limits for salt and sodium. | BIS has accepted it and has revised the specification for Fried Potato Chips IS: 12575:198. It includes the maximum requirement of salt content as 1.0 percent by mass. |
| Besan IS: 2400 1976 | To include alcoholic acidity- test for determination of age/freshness of flour. | An amendment has been issued in the year 2011 by FAD 16 of BIS to include alcoholic acidity test. |
| Milk IS: 13688 | Consumer’s end, not only at the production end. | Milk Standards for Microbiological Safety Need In 2015, FSSAl in its notification included compliance to be revised so as to assess the milk at microbiological parameters to be checked at retail points as well. |
| Organic lea | Formulation of standards for Organic products was suggested. | FSSAI had notified Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations in 2017. These regulations ensure integrity of the Organic Food products, and help in controlling unscrupulous practices in the market and came into force in July 2018. |
| Tomato Powder | Soup Formulation of standards was proposed and under consideration. The maximum limit for sodium content was desired to be specified under the standards. | Under consideration |
| Tublights | To include ‘Rated life of tublights’ as a labeling requirement under the clause of marking (to be declared by manufacturers) | BIS has published Amendment No. 6 to IS 2418 Part 1 – 1979 |
| Home Appliances | Suggested proper colour coding for wiring, especially for earthing wire, for safety purposes | BIS has covered the proper colour coding for earthing wire in the revised safety standard IS 3021- 1-1979 for electrical appliances |
| Table Fans | To provide tolerances for maximum power input for declared air delivery/ service value | BIS has covered tolerances in the revised IS 555 for fans |
| Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) | To incorporate safe disposal of CFLs, as they contain mercury, which is hazardous | BIS has published Amendment No.3 to IS 15111 Part 1 – 2002 |
| Fresh air fans | To include all sizes of fresh air fans available in the market under the scope of IS 2312 (ex., 230 mm, 250 mm, etc.) | BIS has revised standard IS 2312 – 2012 with a variety of fan sizes under the scope of the standard |
| Hand blenders / Mixers grinders | To cover hand blenders & mixers grinders under the mandatory certification | The ISI mark on Mixers/ grinders & hand blenders is made compulsory by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, during the year 2016 |
Drafting Guidelines for Misleading Advertisement
The traditional means of advertising are changing swiftly due to the growing importance of the internet, mobile devices, and social media. Therefore, any legislation about marketing would need to make sure that it tended to the changing dynamics of advertising and met the needs of the potent contemporary communication channels. Presently, despite a number of laws to curb false and misleading advertisements and protect consumer interest, consumers continue to be victims of such advertisements because of the poor enforcement of the laws and due to lacunae or inadequacies in the existing laws.
To address this issue, BIS under MSD 15: P1 – Misleading Advertisement Panel is in the process of formulating Guidelines for Misleading Advertisement. CERC is heading this Committee with the CEO, CERC, as the Convenor of the Committee. CERC is also represented on the Governing Council/ Board of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
This Guideline would provide guidance on provisions for the prevention of misleading advertisements of products and/or services. It outlines general principles and recommendations for content, methods, formats, and designs, enabling consumers to understand products and their related services prior to purchase.
Shaping Policies on Front-of-Pack Labelling (FoPL) in India
India faces an escalating public health crisis due to diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, largely driven by the consumption of unhealthy packaged foods. To address this concern, FSSAI aims to introduce the FoPL labelling system in India.
CERC is a member of an expert committee set up by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to propose and formulate a simple, mandatory, pictorial Font of Pack labelling system to help consumers make healthier food choices. This is a positive step by the food regulatory authority towards strengthening the existing regulations. FOPL aims to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and pictorial information on the nutritional content of packaged foods, empowering consumers to make healthier/informed choices. The goal is to help consumers quickly and easily understand the healthiness of a product, particularly its content of sugar, salt, and saturated fat.
The Steering Committee on Eco Labels
CERC is represented on the Steering Committee on Ecomark Rules, which is an official body constituted by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) (vide G.S.R 596(E) dated 26th September 2024. The Steering Committee has been constituted vide OM dated 23rd October 2024.)
This body aims to oversee and ensure the effective implementation of the “Ecomark” scheme. This scheme provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria in addition to standard quality requirements.
Key Functions of the Steering Committee includes Determining Product Categories: Deciding which product categories are to be covered under the Ecomark scheme, Formulating Strategy: Developing strategies for the promotion, effective implementation, and future improvement of the scheme, Recommending Criteria: Recommending the most appropriate environmental criteria and parameters for products to be designated as “environment-friendly,” Review and Monitoring: Periodically reviewing the established criteria in light of new knowledge and technological developments, and monitoring the implementation of the scheme by the BIS, Mass Awareness: Creating mass awareness among consumers and manufacturers about the Ecomark, Mutual Recognition: Guiding on the mutual recognition of international ecolabelling programs to promote harmonization of standards and international trade and Notifying Criteria: Notifying the final product criteria in the Gazette of India.