With the recent Gazzeteer notification, it's very clear, that, within India, anyone willing to sell Packaged Drinking Water, will not be needing ISI mark, as it was mandatory, earlier. At present, there are 2 licenses needed, 1. The fssai & 2. The ISI ( Issued by the BIS ). With immediate effect, this will come into force.
😐Yes, you heard it right : Anyone willing to start his own production unit for Packaged Drinking Water, he won't need the BIS certified ISI mark.
However, if somebody wants to take it, it can be taken as an added certification.
What can be the possible broad effects of this ?
For existing license holders :-
- They will loose the sort of monopoly, as many new entrepreneurs will enter this zone.
- They will need to find ways to prove their water's real worth
- BIS certification will have its true value, not just a "license"
For new entrants :-
- Big entry barrier gone
- Scope for more creativity
- More flexibility
Things are not as smooth as they look like
- It will take some time for the fssai to make its own set of rules, however, it is more likely that they will follow BIS's ways in many procedures, but upto certain time-limit.
- BIS has a Scheme of Testing, through which, adeltration was automatically protected. Now, without BIS, how can this be protected ?
- There is likelihood of getting several complaints, at least till it gets stabilized.
- Fssai will replace BIS, things don't change much : That's what business owners expect.
- There is not enough strength of auditors/officers with the fssai; how can there be new licenses issued ?
I have listed down hardly a few challenges. The Association of All india PDW manufacturers has requested the fssai to re-visit the decision ( however, it won't be taken back ) & make certain amends in it. Let's see. Only time will tell the story.
This : Clauses 17 & 18 are omitted now.👇
The earlier Regulation said it is necessary :👇
