One Nation One Standard Mission focuses on making India the leader in setting global benchmarks for setting quality standards. 

The topic One Nation One Standard holds relevance for the current affairs section of the IAS exam and other competitive examinations, since it has been in the news recently. 

One Nation One Standard – Why in the news?

Lucknow-based RDSO, which sets standards for the railway sector, has become the first standards body in the country to join the central government’s ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme. 

1. RDSO – Research Design & Standards Organisation is one of India’s leading Standard formulating bodies undertaking standardization works for the railway sector. 

Detailed information on One Nation One Standard Mission will help candidates prepare for the upcoming UPSC Prelims and Mains examinations.

What is One Nation One Standard Mission?

While reviewing the work of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Minister for Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal has stressed on the need for ‘One Nation One Standard’ to bring uniformity and said labs testing in India should be of global standards.

1. One Nation One Standard was conceived in September 2019 by the Bureau of Indian Standards. 
   • BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. It is the only standard-setting authority in India.
2. The mission on nation one standard was envisioned on the line of ‘one nation, one ration card’ scheme in order to ensure quality products in the country.
3. There are multiple standards in the country for a single product or service. The new mission is to converge such standards with the BIS.
4. The idea is to develop one template of standard for one given product instead of having multiple agencies set it.
5. The purpose of setting standards and enforcing them is to ensure that quality products are made available to consumers.
6. To attain the “One Nation One Standard” vision of Government of India, BIS, the National Standards Body, has launched a scheme that provides for “Recognition of SDO”.

Need for One Nation one Standard Mission

• The strength and character of a nation is often exemplified by the standards it sets for the quality of its products and services.
• The government proposes to set Indian standards in line with the global benchmarks, just like other countries enforce their standards on imported products.
• Having uniform national standards will help in making it mandatory for more products.
• The Centre, through this move, wants foreign goods coming into India to comply with Indian standards.

Objectives of One Nation One Standard

The objective of the government’s ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme are as follows

1. To ensure there is a synergy and no overlap in the standardization work in the country, thereby building a ‘Brand India’ identity in the long run.
2. No one should feel the need to go abroad to get the quality certification.
3. To aggregate and integrate the existing capabilities in standardization. Further, it will also provide dedicated domain-specific expertise available with various organizations in the country.
4. Lab testing in India should be of world standards. Modern equipment and the latest technologies would be used there.
5. To enable the convergence of all standard development activities in the country resulting in “One National Standard for One Subject”.

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Principles of Standardization

There are 6 principles of Standardization in the process of Standard Making. They are as follows-

1. Transparency, 
2. Impartiality, 
3. Openness, 
4. Coherence,
5. Effectiveness, and
6. Development Dimension

Significance of One Nation One Standard

1. It will harmonize the standardization activity thereby providing opportunity for greater participation of all stakeholders in formulation & implementation of National Standards.
2. It will improve the overall confidence and trust of Industry and Technology Developers in the standards setting body.

SDO-Standard Developing Organization Recognition Advantages

1. Adaptation of best technologies and get recognition across the globe.
2. Consumers will be more aware of the good quality product.
3. Prices of products will be reduced and the process will be streamlined by setting standards.
4. It will reduce the import of goods in the country and will promote the Make in India program.
5. Competitiveness in the international market will be enhanced thus boosting the Ease of Doing Business in the market. You can read in detail about the Ease of Doing Business Report (EoDBR) on the given link. 
6. It will enhance India’s export potential and make India self-reliant thereby giving a boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat. 
7. The quality of production will improve when the domestic producers produce goods of standard quality.

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