India mandates BIS compliance for stainless steel and aluminum utensils

The Indian government has significantly improved kitchen safety, quality, and efficiency by enforcing compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stainless steel and aluminum utensils.

According to the Quality Control Order issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, it is now mandatory for such utensils to bear the ISI mark. Non-compliance carries penalties, emphasizing the government’s commitment to consumer safety and product integrity.

The BIS has recently introduced a comprehensive set of standards covering essential kitchenware. These standards underscore the BIS’s dedication to ensuring that all kitchen utensils meet rigorous criteria and adhere to high-quality and safety standards. While promoting superior product performance and consumer safety, the BIS aims to preserve the cultural diversity of culinary practices.

Stainless steel utensils have long been popular in kitchens worldwide due to their durability, versatility, and sleek appearance. Composed of an alloy of steel with chromium and other metals like nickel, molybdenum, and manganese, stainless steel exhibits enhanced resistance to corrosion and strong mechanical properties. The BIS has standardized these attributes in the Indian Standard IS 14756:2022, which specifies requirements for various types of utensils used in cooking, serving, dining, and storage.

The IS 14756:2022 standard covers the following aspects:

Material Requirements: Ensuring that the materials used in manufacturing are safe and comply with specified compositions.

Shapes and Dimensions: Providing guidelines for consistent and practical designs of utensils.

Workmanship and Finish: Requiring top-notch craftsmanship to ensure both quality and aesthetic appeal.

Furthermore, the standard includes performance parameters, which involve a range of tests such as staining, mechanical shock, thermal shock, dry heat, coating thickness, nominal capacity, flame stability, and specific tests for utensils with tempered glass lids.

By adhering to stringent standards for both stainless steel and aluminum utensils, the BIS is taking a significant stride toward ensuring that kitchenware used in households and professional environments across India meets rigorous safety and quality benchmarks. Rigorous testing and certification processes protect consumers from inferior products, ensuring that utensils are not only safe but also durable.

These measures bolster consumer confidence and incentivize manufacturers to uphold best practices in production, leading to overall advancements in the industry. The BIS Standard Mark serves as a dependable indicator of quality, empowering consumers to make informed decisions and fostering a culture of excellence and safety in the kitchenware.