Standards for safe machinery protect people and the environment

Dialogue matters

Facilitated by GPQI, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has adopted 32 ISO standards on machinery safety. These standards help to reduce technical barriers to trade, while protecting workers and the environment.

“The project has helped to level the playing‑field for machinery safety in India. For the first time, comparable standards were introduced. This is a game changer since it opens up new market segments in India.”
- Schmersal India Pvt. Ltd. Heinrich Bruellau, Former COO

Modern production facilities as a potential source of danger

Every year there are over 45,000 occupational fatalities in India. The machines used in industry are increasingly complex and the ways in which they can malfunction are numerous. Unsafe machines can have devastating consequences for workers and the environment. With manufacturing playing an increasingly important role, the Indian Government is striving to ensure the availability of safe machinery.

International standards reduce accident risk and open market segments

International standards can increase the safety of machinery for, workers and the environment. Based on various expert and knowledge exchanges supported by GPQI, BIS has therefore adopted 32 ISO standards on machinery safety. As well as making safer, their use also creates business opportunities and opens new market segments. GPQI and the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau - VDMA) are jointly facilitating their adoption by individual companies. The Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) of the Indian Government is currently considering a new technical regulation for certain categories of machinery. Experts from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie - BMWi), VDMA and industry have discussed the European Union (EU) Machinery Directive and its implementation experience with experts from Indian authorities. The Directives considered a reference framework by the Indian side for developing its own regulation. Once it has been notified, GPQI will support industry stakeholders in complying with the applicable standards and regulation.