"Quality Rules in India" Issue brief published by the Observer Research Foundation

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India's competitiveness in manufacturing and the success of "Make in India" depend on its ability to produce high-quality products and services. Product quality is important for human health and consumer safety, as well as for protecting the climate and the environment. One way of ensuring that products and services meet certain standards is through technical regulations with mandatory compliance. However, technical regulations also have the potential to impede cross-border flow of goods and services if they become barriers to trade. Until recently, India had few technical regulations, but it is now set to change this. This brief analyses sectoral patterns and trends in India's technical regulation by looking at mandatory certification schemes and notification to the Technical Barriers to Trade Committee of the World Trade Organisation. Four measures are identified, which could support goals such as consumer protection while also improving India's competitiveness and its integration into international trade.