BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
Adani Enterprises’ airport unit lands $750 mn funding from top foreign banks
Adani Airports Holdings Ltd has secured $750 million in external commercial borrowings from international banks, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, Barclays, and Standard Chartered Bank. The funds will be used to repay existing loans, enhance infrastructure, and expand capacity at six airports. Additionally, the investment will support the growth of non-aeronautical businesses across the airport network.
Commercial freezers are the hottest thing in town this summer
India's commercial refrigeration market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the quick commerce boom and intense competition among beverage companies like Reliance, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo. Manufacturers such as Blue Star, Voltas, and Haier report sales surging 25-50% since January.
Inter-ministerial group setup to assess Quality Control Orders
The government has established an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) to evaluate Quality Control Orders (QCOs) proposed by various ministries, aiming for a unified approach. This group will assess the necessity and content of QCOs, addressing concerns about their impact on different sectors and potential trade implications.
MSMEs demand supportive compliance frameworks as QCO burden mounts
Quality norms should be designed to support MSMEs rather than stifle their growth, say industry leaders.
MSMEs must comply with quality standards, be more responsive: Consumer Affairs Secretary
The secretary said MSMEs need to be more proactive in sharing their problems and asked the industry to demand new standards as well as participate in formulation of these quality norms.
Standards regulator BIS seizes FirstCry products worth Rs 90 lakh
Bureau of Indian Standards seized goods worth Rupees 90 lakh from a FirstCry warehouse in Bengaluru. The action follows alleged violations of BIS Act, 2016. FirstCry is seeking legal advice and believes its products comply with the law. The company reported a wider net loss of Rupees 111.5 crore despite a revenue increase.
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Here's what a Texas oil executive from DOGE is doing inside the Interior Department
Tyler Hassen, a Texas oil executive, is reorganizing the Interior Department. He has ties to the energy sector and Russia. Concerns arise about potential conflicts of interest. Hassen is expediting fossil fuel permits and reducing regulations. Democrats are questioning his authority. He is also facing scrutiny for his financial disclosures and attempts to remove a top department lawyer.
India tightens safety norms to curb low-quality Chinese appliance imports, boost local manufacturing
The government is set to tighten import regulations on small consumer appliances and electronic lifestyle items, primarily from China, by enforcing stricter product safety standards. A recent order mandates BIS certification for a range of electrical goods, including recliners, beauty products, and kitchen appliances, effective March 2026.
Jewellery demand up as gold falls 7% from peak of Rs 1 lakh per 10 gm
Gold prices have decreased, leading to more customers visiting jewellery stores. Demand is up for 18-carat and 22-carat jewellery due to the wedding season. US-China trade tensions easing also contributed to the price drop. Jewellers are seeing increased interest in affordable options. Some customers are placing orders early, anticipating future price increases.
Turkey’s Celebi loses over Rs 2,500 crore in 2 days as stock crashes 20% after India revokes security clearance
Celebi Hava lost over Rs 2,500 crore in market value after India revoked security clearance citing national security. The company is pursuing legal remedies while denying political links and emphasizing its Indian operations.
Piyush Goyal to consider industry plea for extension of QCO deadline for electrical appliances
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is considering extending the implementation timeline for the quality control order (QCO) on electrical appliances following industry concerns. Stakeholders highlighted issues like supply chain complexities, testing infrastructure gaps, and certification challenges. Goyal urged the industry to propose solutions for expanding testing facilities nationwide to ensure smooth QCO rollout.
Piyush Goyal holds meeting with electronics industry stakeholders on implementation of Quality Control Orders
Union Minister Piyush Goyal convened a meeting in Delhi with electronics industry stakeholders to discuss implementing horizontal Quality Control Orders (QCOs). The initiative aims to enhance consumer safety by ensuring higher quality standards for electrical appliances nationwide. Discussions also explored opportunities to boost the industry's growth and global competitiveness through innovation and policy support.
Government revokes security approval for Turkish ground handler Celebi
India's aviation security regulator has revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India, a Turkish ground handling firm, citing national security concerns following reports of Turkish drone usage against India. The government has allowed time till May 19 for other agencies to take over Celebi's operations, ensuring seamless passenger and cargo handling at affected airports.
Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad airports end ties with Turkey's Çelebi amid security concerns
India’s major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad have severed ties with Turkish ground handling firm Çelebi after the government revoked its security clearance citing national security concerns. The firm has been directed to hand over all facilities immediately. Both DIAL and Adani Airport Holdings have assured that operations will continue seamlessly, and all existing employees will be retained under new handlers. The move comes amid backlash over Turkey’s support for Pakistan following recent tensions and the Pahalgam terror attack.
India-Pakistan tensions: Airlines, airports asked to tighten airport checks; Visitor entry to terminal buildings banned and more
Following a Bureau of Civil Aviation Security directive, Indian airports and airlines are implementing heightened security protocols. These measures include mandatory Secondary Ladder Point Checks for all passengers and a ban on visitor entry to terminal buildings.
Akshaya Tritiya 2025: Your gold jewellery costs more than price of gold; Check how jewellers calculate jewellery price
Akshaya Tritiya 2025: Selecting your favourite gold jewellery is easy. However, not many people are aware of how the jeweller makes the final calculations of your favourite gold jewellery piece. Read on to learn how calculations are made and the factors that affect the final bill for gold jewellery when purchasing gold this Akshaya Tritiya.
How to check the purity of gold jewellery using the government’s BIS app; Step-by-step easy guide
BIS: It is very important to check for hallmark of gold jewellery while buying them, as if the jewellery has less pure gold or fake gold then the entire investment could result in loss. Hence to make consumers aware of this the government has an app by BIS which can be found in the play store and App store. The name of the app is: BIS CARE.
Can you sell your old, un-hallmarked gold jewellery as 24KT gold prices near Rs 1 lakh?
With gold prices hovering around Rs 1 lakh for 10 grams, many consumers are considering exchanging or selling their old ornaments to capitalise on rising prices. Read on to know what BIS rules say about selling old, un-hallmarked gold jewellery as gold prices touch sky high.
U.S. accounting firms tap India to alleviate talent crunch
U.S. accounting firms are increasingly turning to India to address a critical shortage of accountants at home. This surge in recruitment is boosting enrollment in specialized commerce courses in India, potentially establishing the country as a hub for accounting talent. Firms like RSM US and Moss Adams are expanding their Indian operations, mirroring the tech industry's outsourcing boom.
Hot AC stocks: Sizzling summers, increasing demand, affordability all set to push up the stocks of these companies, but challenges remain
Room air conditioner companies anticipate robust growth in the March 2025 quarter. Early summer heat is expected to drive demand. Higher retail activity and channel restocking are key factors. The industry faces compressor shortages, but companies are finding alternatives. Voltas, Blue Star, and Amber Enterprises are well-positioned. Long-term growth is supported by urbanization and rising incomes.
MSME players seek phased rollout of QCOs for better compliance with BIS norms
MSME players are seeking a single-window advisory system and phased QCO rollout for better BIS compliance. They face challenges with unclear BIS certification requirements and a lack of tools to easily identify applicable standards.
Chinese AC compressor import rules eased for a year to tackle shortage
To address a critical shortage, the Indian government has temporarily waived mandatory BIS certification for air-conditioner compressor imports (up to two tonnes) from China for one year. This decision, prompted by industry demands ahead of peak summer, aims to alleviate supply constraints due to insufficient local production.
Gold jewellery retailers face sales decline amid rising prices, but revenue growth continues
Despite rising gold prices, Indian organized jewellery retailers anticipate a revenue surge of 13-15% in fiscal 2026, according to Crisil Ratings. While sales volume may decline by 9-11%, higher prices and strategic promotions in Tier 2 and 3 cities will drive growth. Increased costs will be offset by inventory gains, boosting operating profitability.
Gold price rise to impact organised retailers sales volume by 9-11 pc in FY26: Crisil
Gold prices racing to an all-time high is likely to impact the sales volume of organised gold jewellery retailers by 9-11 per cent in 2025-26, a report said on Wednesday.
Trump govt may press India to give Amazon, Walmart's Flipkart full access to $125 bn e-comm market
The United States is pushing India to open its e-commerce market to American giants like Amazon and Walmart. These talks are part of a broader trade deal covering sectors like food and automobiles. The US wants a level playing field, challenging India's regulations. India's rules favor local rivals. This comes amid US Vice President JD Vance's visit to India.
BIS to offer internship for 500 students from partner institutions
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has unveiled internship opportunities for 500 students from partner institutions, focusing on standardisation. These eight-week internships will involve pre-standardisation work, QCO compliance surveys, and site visits to various industrial units and laboratories. Students will conduct in-depth studies on manufacturing, testing processes, and product quality assessment.
India stays cool, thanks to China. Can that change?
India anticipates intense heat from April to June. This could strain the air conditioner market. The industry relies on imported components, mainly from China. Supply chain issues and a weak rupee may increase AC prices. The government is considering measures to boost local compressor production. They are also looking at potential joint ventures to ensure adequate supply and control costs.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge tipped for May debut. Here is what to expect
Samsung is planning to launch the S25 Edge in May. The device was first teased in Galaxy Unpacked back in January. We also had a sneak peak of the device at MWC 2025
Customs rules may be eased for beverages, medical gear from US
India is considering a new category for ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages with 8-18% alcohol content, potentially allowing imports of such products as part of trade deal negotiations with the US. The US has requested eased customs clearances and certifications for food, beverages, chemicals, and medical devices.
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