Section 9:
Powers and functions of Bureau.
(1) The powers and duties as may be assigned to the Bureau
under this Act shall be exercised and performed by the Governing Council and, in particular, such powers
may include the power to—
(a) establish branches, offices or agencies in India or outside;
(b) recognise, on reciprocal basis or otherwise, with the prior approval of the Central
Government, the mark of any international body or institution, on such terms and conditions as may
be mutually agreed upon by the Bureau in relation to any goods, article, process, system or service at
par with the Standard Mark for such goods, article, process, system or service;
(c) seek recognition of the Bureau and of the Indian Standards outside India on such terms and
conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by the Bureau with any corresponding institution or
organisation in any country or with any international organisation;
(d) enter into and search places, premises or vehicles, and inspect and seize goods or articles and
documents to enforce the provisions of this Act;
(e) provide services to manufacturers and consumers of goods or articles or processes for
compliances of standards on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon;
(f) provide training services in relation to quality management, standards, conformity assessment,
laboratory testing and calibration, and any other related areas;
(g) publish Indian Standards and sell such publications and publications of international bodies;
(h) authorise agencies in India or outside India for carrying out any or all activities of the Bureau
and such other purposes as may be necessary on such terms and conditions as it deems fit;
(i) obtain membership in regional, international and foreign bodies having objects similar to that
of the Bureau and participate in international standards setting process;
(j) undertake testing of samples for purposes other than for conformity assessment; and
(k) undertake activities relating to legal metrology.
(2) The Bureau shall take all necessary steps for promotion, monitoring and management of the
quality of goods, articles, processes, systems and services, as may be necessary, to protect the interests of
consumers and various other stake holders which may include the following namely: —
(a) carrying out market surveillance or survey of any goods, article, process, system or service to
monitor their quality and publish findings of such surveillance or surveys;
(b) promotion of quality in connection with any goods, article, process, system or service by
creating awareness among the consumers and the industry and educate them about quality and
standards in connection with any goods, article, process, system and service;
(c) promotion of safety in connection with any goods, article, process, system or service;
(d) identification of any goods, articles, process, system or service for which there is a need to
establish a new Indian Standard, or to revise an existing Indian Standard;
(e) promoting the use of Indian Standards;
(f) recognising or accrediting any institution in India or outside which is engaged in conformity
certification and inspection of any goods, article, process, system or service or of testing laboratories;
(g) coordination and promotion of activities of any association of manufacturers or consumers or
any other body in relation to improvement in the quality or in the implementation of any quality
assurance activities in relation to any goods, article, process, system or service; and
(h) such other functions as may be necessary for promotion, monitoring and management of the
quality of goods, articles, processes, systems and services and to protect the interests of consumers
and other stake holders.
(3) The Bureau shall perform its functions under this section through the Governing Council in
accordance with the direction and subject to such rules as may be made by the Central Government.