CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, organised a one-day Brainstorming Meeting on “Enhancing global competence in quality by providing SI traceable measurements through Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) [Certified Indian Reference Materials]” on 9 August 2024. Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT (Govt of India); Dr Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary (AYUSH); Dr N Kalaiselvi, Secretary DSIR & DG, CSIR; Dr Parveen Malik, CEO (Agrinnovate, India Ltd); Dr Venugopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-NPL and Dr SP Singh, Head, BND Division, CSIR-NPL, inaugurated the event.

Welcoming the guests, Dr Venugopal Achanta highlighted the significance of BNDs and the progress made so far by the efforts of CSIR-NPL. Dr N Kalaiselvi informed the house about strengthening the CSIR labs in the endeavour and appealed to the directors and scientists to work together to establish the mechanism for fulfilling the requirement of BNDs and making them not only acceptable but also competing in the global market. Dr Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha emphasised the need for reference material in herbal drugs and AYUSH products in his address. Dr Praveen Malik highlighted the need for standard reference material in agriculture, drugs & vaccines and proposed an elaborate roadmap for establishing the BNDs globally.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Sh RK Singh, complimented CSIR NPL’s efforts on this great initiative. He emphasised the requirement for all stakeholders to join hands to make the dream of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” a reality.

 The directors of different CSIR laboratories like CSIR-NPL, CSIR-AMPRI, CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CBRI, CSIR-CEERI, CSIR-IIP, as well as the Director Generals and Director representatives of CFSL, NDTL, FSSAI, IPFT, IPC, CWC, JJM, BIS, NTH, accreditation bodies, industry representatives and other scientific institutions attended the meeting.

The major focus of the discussion was on the development and SI traceability of Indigenous-certified materials, i.e., BNDs, for use by various segments of Indian industries towards better quality control of locally produced products. They deliberated on the current challenges and opportunities in developing and utilising such Indian-made CRMs/BNDs in India. Success stories of BNDs in water and cement were detailed to explain the benefits to the users. Issues and conflicts associated with related accreditation and proper regulatory audits of different testing laboratories and the possible way forward were also discussed.