Bis Introduces Standard for Agri by-Product Utensils

June 23, 2023

Context:

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published IS 18267: 2023 “Food Serving Utensils Made from Agri By-Products – Specification,” aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability.

About the Standards:

- The standard provides comprehensive guidelines to manufacturers and consumers, ensuring uniformity in quality requirements across the country.
- Coverage: It covers various aspects, including raw materials, manufacturing techniques, performance, and hygiene requirements for the production of biodegradable utensils.

Manufacturing Techniques: It specifies the use of agricultural by-products, such as leaves and sheaths, as preferred materials for making plates, cups, bowls, and more.

- It recommends appropriate parts of plants and trees and provides manufacturing techniques like hot pressing, cold pressing, moulding, and stitching.
Design and Safety Features: It also emphasizes smooth surfaces, non-sharp edges, and prohibits the use of chemicals, resins and adhesives.

Additional Information:

About 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.
The Act has enabling provisions for the Government to bring under compulsory certification regime any goods or article of any scheduled industry, process, system or service which it considers necessary