Steel Ministry to ensure firms meet global quality standards

12 December 2016

Companies will have to work on meeting global quality standards and follow international best practices, steps that will help India become a manufacturing hub, Steel Minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh said on Wednesday.

In order to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of making India a global manufacturing hub and ensure success of Make in India, there is a need to concentrate on enhancing quality standards and focus on R&D, he said.

“For India to become a manufacturing hub and to produce products for the global community, we need to meet and adhere to the global best practices and quality standards.

“I am of the firm opinion that this is the only way for steel industry in India to reach its true potential. As they say a dream is a goal with a deadline. So we must adhere to deadlines and treat them as sacrosanct,” Singh told PTI.

Singh’s comments come against the backdrop of the Ministry looking at creating a comprehensive quality regime for the over USD 100 billion industry.

Stressing that it is essential for steel products to gain acceptability and recognition at the global level, Singh said the way forward is to bring more products under the ambit of quality control orders for a holistic coverage.

“India needs to find new markets for its products for better capacity utilisation and, quality is a pre-requisite for export-orientation. This is essential as steel products form the backbone of infrastructure, construction, household utilities, engineering goods and other sectors,” he explained.

Standardisation through quality control would be beneficial for the health of mass consumers who use stainless steel utensils. Similarly strength, durability and longevity of housing and other constructions depend on the quality of steel used, Singh said.

Speaking on the extension given by the government on the Stainless Steel Quality Control (QC) Order, the Minister said it is pertinent that companies follow deadlines.

Yesterday, Steel Ministry gave a two month extension for the implementation of Stainless Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2016, which was to end on December 6.

The Order stipulates prohibition regarding manufacture, import, storage, sale, distribution etc without the Standard Mark of BIS and obligation of certification.

Urging firms to expedite their part of the process, Singh said the extension route “cannot be infinite” and all must be committed to provide a safe product to the consumers.

“It is our dream to make India a global manufacturing hub, But if each one of us is not committed to doing his best to facilitate implementation of highest quality standards in every sphere, we shall be left behind,” he added.

Source – PTI