BIS Announces Mandatory ISI Certification for Aluminium Food Utensils
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has declared that ISI certification will become compulsory for all aluminium utensils used in food and beverage applications, effective from October 1, 2024. This significant regulatory move aims to enhance consumer safety and ensure stringent quality control across the industry.
New Standards for Aluminium Products
Speaking from Coimbatore, G Bhavani, Senior Director and Head of the BIS Coimbatore branch, emphasized the critical role aluminium utensils play in both domestic and commercial cooking. "Given the extensive use of aluminium in beverage packaging and culinary applications, compliance with updated standards is essential," she stated.
The mandatory standards include IS 1660:2024 for wrought aluminium utensils and IS 14407:2023 for aluminium beverage cans. These regulations prescribe rigorous quality parameters such as thickness, size, handle strength, load-bearing capacity, and resistance to temperature variations. Additionally, all aluminium utensils must contain a minimum of 99.5% pure aluminium.
Timeline for Compliance and Penalties
The implementation timeline varies based on the scale of manufacturing units:
- Large and Medium-Scale Manufacturers: Must comply with ISI certification norms from October 1, 2024.
- Small-Scale Units: Granted an extension until January 1, 2027.
- Micro Enterprises: Required to adhere from April 1, 2027.
Manufacturers or importers failing to meet these standards will face penalties, underscoring the government's commitment to enforcing quality assurance.
Consumer Verification and Safety Initiatives
Bhavani highlighted that BIS is actively promoting awareness about the BIS CARE app, which enables consumers to verify the authenticity of ISI-certified products. "This initiative is crucial to prevent harmful metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic from contaminating aluminium utensils used for food," she explained.
Consumers can identify genuine products by checking for the ISI mark on utensils, which includes the standard number (IS 1660:2024) above the mark and a 10-digit CM/L (certification mark/licence) number below it. This number can be authenticated through the BIS CARE app to ensure product genuineness.
Current Adoption in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, 18 aluminium manufacturers have already obtained BIS licences, with nine units located in Coimbatore and two in Madurai. This early adoption reflects a proactive approach to meeting the new regulatory requirements.
The certification requirement also extends to imported aluminium intended for manufacturing food-related products, ensuring that all materials entering the market adhere to the same high standards.
