CSIR National Physical Laboratory Hosts Brainstorming Meeting on Enhancing Global Competence Through Certified Indian Reference Materials

New Delhi: The CSIR National Physical Laboratory (NPL) convened a one-day brainstorming meeting focused on “Enhancing Global Competence in Quality by Providing SI Traceable Measurements through Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) [Certified Indian Reference Materials]” at its New Delhi campus today.

The event was inaugurated by a distinguished panel including Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT (Government of India); Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary (AYUSH); Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary DSIR & DG, CSIR; Dr. Parveen Malik, CEO of Agrinnovate India Ltd; Dr. Venugopal Achanta, Director of CSIR-NPL; and Dr. S. P. Singh, Head of the BND Division at CSIR-NPL.

In his opening remarks, Rajesh Kumar Singh praised CSIR-NPL for its initiative and underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve the vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” as envisioned by the Prime Minister of India. He called upon all stakeholders to unite in making this vision a reality.

Dr. Venugopal Achanta, Director of CSIR-NPL, highlighted the critical role of BNDs in advancing quality control and the progress achieved thus far through CSIR-NPL’s initiatives. He emphasized the importance of these reference materials in meeting international standards.

Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG of CSIR, spoke about the need to bolster CSIR laboratories in this endeavor. She urged directors and scientists to work collectively to establish a robust mechanism for BNDs, ensuring their global competitiveness and acceptance. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha stressed the necessity of reference materials specifically for herbal drugs and AYUSH products.

Dr. Parveen Malik outlined the need for standardized reference materials in agriculture, drugs, and vaccines. He proposed a comprehensive roadmap for establishing BNDs on a global scale.

The meeting brought together directors from various CSIR laboratories including CSIR-NPL, CSIR-AMPRI, CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CBRI, CSIR-CEERI, and CSIR-IIP, as well as representatives from CFSL, NDTL, FSSAI, IPFT, IPC, CWC, JJM, BIS, and other scientific institutions and industry bodies.

Discussions focused on the development and SI traceability of Indigenous-certified materials, or BNDs, to enhance quality control in Indian industries. The participants explored current challenges and opportunities related to the development and utilization of Indian-made Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). Success stories, particularly in water and cement sectors, were shared to highlight the benefits of BNDs. The meeting also addressed issues related to accreditation, regulatory audits, and proposed solutions for overcoming these challenges.