The second Indian Industry Bodies Meeting on Quality Infrastructure (QI), organised by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), a constituent board of Quality Council of India (QCI), held on October 13, 2023, highlighted crucial aspects of challenges and future needs for Quality Infrastructure among various industries including Electronics, IT, Telecom, and Engineering & Capital Goods Sectors. Crucial to India's burgeoning economic success, these sectors not only significantly bolster domestic and international trade but also serve as catalysts for the nation's overall economic development. Collectively, they contribute more than 16% to India's GDP. The event served as a platform to bolster the vision of Developed India by 2047 and for industry leaders, government officials, and experts to discuss the pivotal role of standards, technical regulations, and accredited conformity assessments in India's path to becoming one of the top three global economic powers within the next 10-15 years.

Industry leaders while discussing the role of QI in their sectors gave insights and perspectives from their industries and emphasised the need for policy interventions to harmonize the existing quality frameworks with global policies, enhancing accessibility and innovation to enhance trade, quality, global competitiveness, self-sufficiency, and resilience, underscoring the importance of maintaining high-quality standards.

While addressing the meeting, Jaxay Shah, Chairperson, QCI asserted that, ?In an era of global competition, it is quality that sets us apart and will take us forward in realising the vision of developed India by 2047. With a strong policy framework, dynamic partnerships, and robust accreditation programs, the industrial sector, accounting for 31% of the GDP and employing over 12.1 crore people, remains at the forefront of this remarkable growth. In the fiscal year 2022-23, the industrial sector is expected to grow by an impressive 6.7%. To foster this growth while maintaining quality standards, QCI and NABCB have been relentlessly working through various accreditation and certification programs.?

Rajesh Maheshwari, as the Secretary General (I/C) of the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the CEO of the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), emphasised the crucial role of quality infrastructure in India's economic development. He stressed that quality infrastructure serves as the backbone for the country's economic progress.

One of the key aspects he mentioned is the role of accreditation in ensuring the quality of products and services in India. Accreditation plays a vital role in assuring that the goods consumers purchase and the services they utilise meet international standards and benchmarks. This is important for consumer protection and confidence.

Furthermore, he highlighted that accreditation also facilitates global trade. When products and services are accredited, they demonstrate that they meet certain international standards. This, in turn, makes it easier for businesses to engage in global trade, as their offerings are more likely to meet the requirements and expectations of international markets. In essence, accreditation acts as a means to enhance the competitiveness of Indian businesses on the global stage by assuring the quality and standards of their products and services.

?India is excelling in all corners of industries, whether it is electronics or engineering capital goods. In the Semiconductor industry, India is seizing the opportunities and looking to build an entire semiconductor ecosystem across the country. To translate this vision, it is crucial for companies involved in the industry to be accredited with internationally recognizable standards?, said Deep Kapuria, Chairperson, NABCB.

Vipin Sondhi, Chairperson, NBQP, averred, ?The Indian Industry Bodies Meeting on Quality Infrastructure (QI) has charted a course towards fostering innovation and setting high-quality standards for Indian industry. The discussion has brought important issues to the centre stage with a resolution from all ends of the varied industries.?