It is usually referred to as a mark of validity or an assurance that the manufacturer has tested the product and ensured that it meets the given quality standard.
In a world that is becoming increasingly competitive, getting a certification mark for your business is a fruitful exercise for any prudent business. Getting certification sas per your business sector an operations can yield several long term benefits.
For instance, a majority of people today would not purchase gold without first inspecting the purity label on the metal. Moreover, it is illegal to sell electric appliances without an energy consumption rating or food items without the FPO brand. In addition to these, there are a number of well-known certified marks, including those for organic food, Khadi products, no animal testing, etc.
What Advantages Do Certification Marks Offer?
- Certification marks for your business guarantee that products conform to a certain standard and hence generate goodwill for the business.
- It assures buyers, both national or international, about the quality of products.
- It helps distinguish goods by creating an environment of competence in quality.
- Informed consumers always prefer a certified product over a non-certified one.
- It helps the government maintain control over the industry by mandating legal and quality requirements and conducting routine checks to ensure compliance.
- The products or services using counterfeit marks, or producing without taking regulatory mark approvals can be taken action against.
BIS Mark – For Gold and Silver
The Bureau of Indian Standards is a national body working under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It provides the BIS certification for gold and silver jewelry in India. It also provides certification to foreign players that intend to export gold or silver jewelry to India under its Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, wherein foreign players can authorize an Indian agent to get certifications from BIS on their behalf.
ISI Mark – For a Wide Variety of Industrial, Household and Electronic Products
The Bureau of Indian Standards administers the grant of ISI Mark – which stands for Indian Standards Institution. It is mandatory for certain products such as electrical appliances, LPG cylinders, etc, and optional for many other categories of products. With more than 19,000 standards for products across 16 categories, the ISI Mark is the most comprehensive standard for quality industrial certification in India.
Agmark – For Agricultural Produce
The term Agmark stands for ‘Agriculture Marks’, and is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare. Under the Agriculture Produce (Grading and Marketing) Act of 1937, Agmark covers quality guidelines for a wide variety of agriculture produce from cereals and pulses to fruits and vegetables. The best benefit of this certification is for exporters, who intend to ship agriculture produce of India to other countries.
India Organic Mark – Intended for Organic Produce
The testing facilities that have received clearance from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority award the India Organic Mark. Both processed and agricultural products are eligible for this mark. These are produced in India using only organic raw materials; no artificial fertilisers, pesticides, or other additives are used.
Silk Mark – For Pure Silk Textiles
The Silk Mark is a voluntary certification that helps certify that a fabric is of pure natural silk quailty. It is assigned by the Silk Mark Organisation of India, which is a society that certifies the quality of silk yarn used. Since Indian textiles have been a key component of export for many centuries, an assurance of the quality of silk helps in generating better international sales.
Eco mark- For Environment Friendly Products
Since India has set a goal of eliminating single-use plastics by 2022, there is growing political and policy interest in promoting more environmentally friendly products. Through the Eco mark one can look for products that use eco-friendly packaging. Furthermore, products made from waste residues or with low environmental impact are also considered.
The BIS assigns the Ecomark label under a a completely voluntary and optional scheme. It raises consumer awareness and steers purchasing decisions toward environmentally friendly products.
FPO – For Processed Fruit Products
The FPO, an acronym for Fruit Products Order issued by the Ministry of Food Processing. It is a mandatory mark for those that utilize fruit components in their processed product. It covers, a wide range of final goods such as fruit beverages, squashes, jams, ketchup, crushes, fruit candies, fruit extract, etc.
How Are Certification Marks Different From Collective Marks?
Unlike certification marks, a collective trademark is a symbol representing certain characteristics, such as origin, quality, nature of produce, products used, etc. In India, for example, Saffron in Kashmir may bear a tag indicating that it is a product of Kashmir. This helps not just in domestic identification but also helps create a brand image for the product internationally. Collective trademarks are also by members of a certain group or an organization. All its affiliates may collectively use that mark on their goods or services. These help in distinguishing goods of one group from another. It grants protection under the Trademarks Act, for wrongful or misleading use of the collective mark.
FAQs
1. What is a certification mark in India, and how does it differ from a regular trademark?
A certification mark is a type of mark that is used to indicate that a product or service meets certain standards or qualifications. Unlike a trademark, which is used to identify the source of a product or service, a certification mark is used to indicate that the product or service meets certain quality or safety standards set by a third-party organization.
2. How many different certification marks are recognized in India?
There are several different certification marks recognized in India, including the AGMARK certification mark for agricultural products, the ISI mark for industrial products and the FSSAI mark for food products.
3. What is the significance of an AGMARK certification mark in India?
The AGMARK certification mark is used to indicate that an agricultural product meets certain quality and safety standards set by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in India. The mark is widely recognized and trusted by consumers in India and can help to increase the marketability of agricultural products.
4. Can you explain the purpose and benefits of obtaining certification marks for products in India?
Obtaining a certification mark for a product in India can help to establish credibility and trust in consumers, as it indicates that the product meets certain quality or safety standards set by a third-party organization. This can help to increase the marketability of the product, and can also help to differentiate it from competing products in the market.
5. What types of products and industries commonly use certification marks in India?
Certification marks are commonly used in a variety of industries in India, including agriculture, food and beverage, textiles and electronics. Some of the most commonly recognized certification marks in India include the AGMARK mark, the ISI mark and the FSSAI.
6. Are certification marks mandatory for certain products in India, or are they optional?
Certification marks are generally optional in India, although some industries may require certain products to be certified in order to meet regulatory requirements or to be eligible for certain government programs or subsidies.
7. How does one go about obtaining a certification mark for their product in India?
The process for obtaining a certification mark in India may vary depending on the specific mark and the organization responsible for issuing it. Generally, the process involves submitting an application to the relevant organization, along with any required documentation or fees. The organization will then review the application and may conduct inspections or tests to verify that the product meets the required standards.
8. What are the key criteria and requirements for a product to be eligible for a certification mark?
The criteria and requirements for a product to be eligible for a certification mark will vary depending on the specific mark and the organization responsible for issuing it. Generally, the product must meet certain quality or safety standards set by the organization and may be subject to inspections or tests to verify compliance.
9. Are there any regulatory bodies or authorities responsible for overseeing certification marks in India?
Yes, there are several regulatory bodies and authorities responsible for overseeing certification marks in India, including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
10. What consumer rights or assurances are associated with products bearing certification marks in India?
Products bearing certification marks in India are generally associated with certain consumer rights and assurances, including the assurance that the product meets certain quality or safety standards.
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