Shillong, June 12: Around 60 entrepreneurs, industry representatives, government officials and technical experts participated in a one-day Sensitization Programme on Quality Standards and BIS Certification for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) held at the Directorate of Commerce & Industries in Shillong on June 11.
The programme aimed to promote awareness among MSMEs on Indian Standards, BIS Product Certification Schemes, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and regulatory compliance, while also providing a platform for direct interaction with experts from quality infrastructure institutions.
Welcoming the participants, Assistant Director of the Directorate of Commerce & Industries, Smti. Aimeka Dkhar, highlighted the importance of quality standards in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of MSMEs.
Director of Commerce & Industries, Moonlander Wanshong, stressed the critical role of quality standards in improving industrial productivity, product acceptance in the market and long-term business growth. He encouraged entrepreneurs to adopt standardized manufacturing practices and quality certification schemes to strengthen consumer confidence and competitiveness.
Providing an overview of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Director and Head of BIS Guwahati Branch Office, Shouvik Chanda, explained the organisation’s role in promoting quality, safety and consumer protection through standardization, conformity assessment and certification.
Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety (Technical), Health & Family Welfare Department, Dr. Wadamika Lyngdoh, spoke on the importance of quality and safety standards in public health and emphasized the need for regulatory compliance and consumer protection.
A technical session on the BIS Product Certification Process and Grant of Licence Procedure was conducted by Dr. Shasanka Sekhar Borkotoky, Consultant (Standardization Activities), BIS, and Jishnu Das, Standard Promotion Officer, BIS. The session covered application procedures, documentation requirements, product testing, factory inspections, conformity assessment and licence renewal processes.
Participants also attended an interactive session on Quality Management Systems conducted by Shouvik Chanda, who highlighted the benefits of adopting structured quality management practices to improve operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall organisational performance.
Further insights were provided by Dr. Harekrishna Deka, Head (In-Charge), CIPET Guwahati, who showcased the testing facilities, technical support services, quality assurance mechanisms and skill development opportunities available to MSMEs.
The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants sought clarifications on BIS certification, Indian Standards, Quality Control Orders (QCOs), ISO certification and testing requirements.
Officials said the programme successfully enhanced awareness among MSMEs regarding quality standards and certification systems and is expected to encourage greater adoption of quality practices, improve compliance and strengthen the competitiveness of Meghalaya’s MSME sector.
