Chennai: B L Verma, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution on Wednesday visited the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) Southern Regional Laboratory in the city and highlighted the organisation’s role in safeguarding consumer interests through standardisation, product certification and hallmarking.During his interaction with BIS officials, Verma stressed the importance of ensuring that consumers get quality, safe and reliable products conforming to Indian Standards. He particularly highlighted hallmarking of precious-metal jewellery. “BIS Hallmarking of Gold and Silver Jewellery and Artefacts provides consumers with confidence regarding the purity and authenticity of the precious metal,” Verma said. He added that hallmarking safeguards consumer interests by ensuring transparency and trust while encouraging responsible trade practices in the jewellery sector.Verma visited various testing sections of the laboratory and interacted with officials on testing procedures, laboratory infrastructure and conformity assessment processes used to ensure compliance with Indian Standards. He also planted a sapling at the laboratory’s Science Park as a symbol of environmental sustainability. The minister appreciated the laboratory’s facilities and the BIS team’s efforts towards strengthening the quality ecosystem and protecting consumer interests.
