Scenario of Standardization of Wood Based Panel Products in India

Abstract

Standards provide the technicalrequirements formaterials, dimensions and tolerances, grading, testing procedures marking and other details. Their main objective is to define quality levels for products in accordance with the principal demands of the trade and to provide means for close adherence to the levels ofqualities thus defined. National standardization bodies ofrespective countries govern the standardization activities of the countries. Bureau oflndian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Organization in India responsible forstandardization activityin India. The standards related to panel products are dealt under technical committees under Civil engineering divisional committee ofBIS. In India certification is not mandatory, except for few items like electrical goods, medicines. Certification of wood products and panels from wood and other lignocellulosic materials is also voluntary. Wood is a scarce raw material and its production, processing and utilization have strong environmental implications and it is high time that this processed raw material is used to produce value added and durable products. Standards play a significant role in sphere ofqualitylevel, quality assurance, quality advancement and trade. For continuous progress ofpanel products, strict adherence by industry to standards is needed. Certification through testing ofproducts can be utilized as a tool for gaining consumer's confidence.