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Green Standards to Address issues of Sustainability by BIS

Green_Standards_to_Address_issues_of_Sustainability_by_BIS_Corpseed.webp

Introduction

Our civilization has progressed quickly and countries are developing fast. However, this progress comes with a cost. We only focused on the development and ignored the proper way to move forward and take the necessary precautions. As a result, nature is now showing the negative effects of our actions in the last few years. We are using up resources and causing damage that will make it hard for future generations to live.

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Nature has limits that should not be exceeded. If we use too many resources or harm the environment, it will have bad effects on people and the planet. The way we live now, always trying to expand and grow, is not good for the long term. We can see evidence of this in things like climate change, pollution, and loss of land, animals and diversity. The world's population is also growing very quickly, which makes it even harder to keep up with these changes. It's important to find a sustainable way of living.

On 19th April 2023, the Bureau of Indian Standards organized a press conference on the topic ‘Green Standards: Efforts of BIS to Address Sustainability’. At the conference, BIS shared information with the media about the standards it has been formulating in the areas of construction, agriculture, mechanical, electrical, waste disposal and others to deal with the issue of sustainability. BIS is the National Standards Body of India, which sets standards for industries to ensure the safety and quality that is recognized on the global landscape. It is involved in the formation of green standards as per the National Action Plan for Climate Change provided by the Government of India.

Need for Green Standards to Address Issues of Sustainability

As discussed above, sustainable development is the only key to survive for a considerable period and avoid any fatal crisis in the future. If the standards are set up in accordance with the principles of sustainable development then it can be proved a game-changing move to push the development towards the right direction. This is what the National Standards Body of India is trying to achieve. With the help of green standards of BIS, it can be made mandatory for everyone working in their respective industry to follow the guidelines and implement them in their product or service which supports sustainable development and discourage practices that are harmful to the environment and activities that are responsible for climate change. The Government of India is aware of this fact and released NAPCC long ago to drive the nation towards its sustainable development goals.

What is NAPCC?

NAPCC is the National Action Plan on Climate Change, released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It mentions eight national missions to address climate change and promote sustainable development. These eight national missions include-

  • National Solar Mission
  • National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
  • National Mission on Sustainable Habitat
  • National Water Mission
  • National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
  • National Mission for a Green India
  • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
  • National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

To implement policies that are beneficial for the environment and efficient in terms of resources, the government of India also signed the London Declaration. It was a commitment to ensure the development of the standards in the country that are in consonance with the contemporary rising issues of environmental importance.

What is London Declaration?

BSI (British Standards Institution) hosted an event in London in September 2021. It was named ISO Week London 2021. An important activity during the event was the signing of the London Declaration. It was proposed by BSI and drafted with the intention to set standards that support climate action and advance international initiatives to achieve global climate goals. It is proposed to consider key climate science for making new standards as well as when revising the existing standards. It also aims to ensure the inclusion of civil society and the most vulnerable individuals impacted by climate change to participate in the development of all global standards and publications. This will help to create rules to fight climate change and reach our goals to make the world a better place.

SNAP 2022-2027 by BIS

India being a signatory to London Declaration recommended the formulation of standards in India that are in consonance with our goals to address sustainability issues. In 2022, the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) published the Standards National Action Plan which was developed to ensure that the standards set out by the BIS are based on a strong foundation with systems that are aligned to meet the current and anticipated standardization needs. These standards must be prioritized and coordinated in such a manner as to remain effective in addressing emerging issues like climate change.

Green Standards by BIS to Address Sustainability Issues

At the conference held by the Bureau of Indian Standards, the director general of BIS informed the media that it is working on the formation of green standards for various sectors like agriculture, construction, waste management and electric vehicles. He also said that BIS is continuously working to identify more sectors where green standards are required to be set up and asked for suggestions from the states.

  • Construction

BIS is implementing rules for the reuse of flying ash, ultra-fine slag and silica fume generated during the process of construction and demolition. These pollutants get mixed in the air and are hard to recover for reuse. BIS is making standards for such reuse and prevention of the environment from these substances. BIS is setting standards to make it mandatory to use such fly ash in the production of concrete, bricks and blocks. Further, it also recommended that state governments should use these bricks instead of traditional bricks to support the initiative.

  • Agriculture

It is also looking for procedures that can be used in agriculture to make harvesting more environment-friendly and move towards organic production. It will also standardize the labelling of organically produced agricultural and animal products. New or revised standards may be published for maintaining the quality of the soil and preventing exploitation of the fertility of agricultural land. New irrigation methods, like micro irrigation, may be used to keep the water levels in check and the flow of the rivers and canals. Also, standards may be introduced for the insecticides and other substances that are used to keep the crop safe and boost its health, to develop and use in such a manner that they don’t leave any negative impact on the soil or the air. BIS is making sure that the products and practices used in the agriculture industry are environmentally sustainable.

  • Water Management

BIS is also working on standards to conserve water and standardise water-efficient products. It requested the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to ensure that these green standards by BIS are made mandatory to exercise. The move will help to control water wastage to a large extent.

  • Waste Management

It prescribed the Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to not certify any entity for the production of hundred per cent bio-degradable plastic as the research on the same is still in progress and it is not possible to produce such kind of plastic. The new standards may standardise the recycling and composting process. This encourages the stakeholders to adopt an environment-oriented process for the management of waste. Not just the treatment necessary but also the treatment with a sustainably beneficial process is required for efficiently managing the pollution in the country and green standards by BIS are required for the same.

Benefits of Green Standards by BIS for Sustainability

BIS is committed to implementing green standards in the industries described above as well as the new standards that are under formulation. These green standards provide various benefits as described below-

  • It will reform the existing standards and fix any flaws thereto.
  • The new standards will be more environmental-friendly.
  • The new standards will be recognised globally.
  • The products manufactured in India based on green standards will attract foreign buyers.
  • The new standards will boost the export of the country.
  • It will boost the reputation of India on the global front with respect to the measures being taken to fight climate change.
  • It will fulfil the promise kept in the London Declaration.
  • It will boost the quality of agricultural and animal products.
  • The food products made based on green standards will provide health benefits.
  • The air quality will improve by controlling and reusing the pollutants exposed to air during construction or demolition.

Future Prospects of Green Standards by BIS to Address Sustainability Issues

During the conference, the director general of the Bureau of Indian Standards requested the state governments and ministries to suggest new sectors where green standards shall be implemented. The drafting will start as the suggestions will be received by BIS which will expand the scope of green standards into various new industries. The new products and services will get improved and increase the overall impact of green standards. The move will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the country and achieving the goal of net zero emissions.

Conclusion

While these green standards by BIS for the issues of sustaoinability are very beneficial to society at large but they are still not fully matured and need various improvements. Efforts of BIS clearly show that it is honest in its commitment and will develop new standards for other industries as well as it will revise and improve old standards to comply with the global standards, sustainability goals and national mission on climate change. All these policies together craft the recipe of the new India that will be developed and become an inspiration for many more countries in near future. As a company, you should ensure to follow the latest standards laid down for the manufacturing of a product or any process involved therein. As a citizen also, we should practice as well as encourage others to minimize the usage of resources like water and follow other guidelines in this respect as published by the applicable authorities from time to time. This way we can contribute our portion to push the country towards the sustainable development goal.

This portion of the site is for informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of author, not corpseed, and have not been evaluated by corpseed for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.

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Author

Yash Chauhan is a law graduate from the University of Delhi and a skilled content writer at Corpseed. With a keen interest in the legal industry, he specializes in writing articles on contemporary legal developments, corporate compliances,...

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