Sanjay Goswami says, “BIS has a process of formulating standards through 16 different division concepts in multiple technological areas.” He adds, “We have more than 22,000 Indian standards in force, consisting of product specifications, methods of tests, codes of practices, guidelines, and vocabularies. 153 R&D projects were floated in Phase 1 and 82 in Phase 2 out of which 84 projects are being commissioned.”

The product certification which was started in 1955 carries a mandatory certification through quality control orders (QCO), which is currently active for 725 products. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has five regional offices in Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai and Chandigarh, and has 36 different branch offices at different locations. BIS also runs laboratory services. There are more than 10 laboratories in various places.

Next Goswami spotlights the National Standard for Plastic Packaging and the various sub committees.

National standards for plastic packaging - Plastics Packaging Committee PCD 21

This sectional committee deals with formulation of Indian Standards on rigid, semi-rigid and flexible plastics containers, closures and their methods of test. It coordinates with the work of ISO/TC 61 ‘Plastics’ and ‘ISO/TC 122 (Plastic Packaging only)’. The Committee has published 48 standards till date.

National standards for plastic packaging - Plastics, PCD 12

This committee formulates Indian Standards for thermosetting and thermoplastic resins-bonded and moulding materials. These include natural and synthetic polymers, synthetic resin bonded laminates thermoplastic films and sheets, plasticisers cellular plastics, finished plastic articles, composites and reinforced plastics (excluding sanitary wares and plastic pipes for water supply and plastic packaging containers), and natural and synthetic adhesives (excluding for plywood industry and electrical tapes).

The national standards promote the use of recyclable and biodegradable materials in plastics packaging to reduce waste.

Goswami says, “There is IS 16591 (Part 1) : 2016 - PP and PE used for flexible and rigid consumer packaging. This standard covers mixtures of PP and PE recyclate derived from PP and PE for flexible and rigid consumer packaging for moulding and extrusion.” He says, “The recyclate from packaging used for the transport, handling, or storage of hazardous goods shall not be used.”

Goswami adds, “The part two of IS 16591 specifies methods of preparation of test specimens and the standard test methods to be used in determining the properties of mixtures of PP and PE recyclates. This recyclate is derived from PP and PE used for flexible and rigid consumer packaging for moulding and extrusion.”

National standards for plastic packaging - IS 16630 (Part 1) : 2018 Plastics - Post-consumer PET bottle recyclates

Sanjay Goswami says, “This standard establishes a designation system for post-consumer PET bottle recyclates, which may be used as the basis for specifications. The types of PET bottle recyclate are differentiated from each other by a classification system based on levels of properties such as intrinsic viscosity (IV), levels of contamination due to the label and other visible contaminants, PVC and polyolefins (and including adhesive), water content; and bulk density.”

National standards for plastic packaging - IS 17899 T: 2022 assessment of biodegradability of plastics in varied conditions

Sanjay Goswami says, “At present, there are no test methods available internationally to determine the biodegradability of plastic in marine environments. The test methods are being developed by ISO for the same.”

Goswami says, “This provisional standard contains the limits of regulated heavy metals to ensure safe application of biomass.”

Goswami adds, “This standard does not specify the service life or durability aspects of the plastic material under consideration. As per the definition of biodegradable plastic given in Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, the plastic material should not leave behind any micro plastics, or visible, distinguishable, or toxic residue, which has adverse environmental impacts.”

There are no validated test methods available for testing of microplastic, the same will be introduced in the standard once available. Till the validated test methods are available, the 90% biodegradation shall be considered as a safe threshold to rule out the presence of microplastic.

After Sanjay Goswami concluded his presentation, there were many questions from the delegates. On the occasion, Goswami mentioned how the BIS has published a Handbook on Indian Standards on Sustainable Packaging. He says, “The Bureau of Indian Standards along with the Chemical Department (CHD) has published the Indian Standards about consumer products paper packaging, food products paper packaging and for industrial paper packaging.”