Establishment of the National Products Safety Authority

With liberalization, the Indian market is flooded with a variety of consumer goods from all over the word. The safety of these products is a potential threat. Combined with this, the existing lack of concern of the Indian manufacturers towards quality products adds a dangerous dimension to the Indian market scenario.

CONCERT acted as a catalyst in paving the way in establishing the National Products Safety Authority, by the Government of India. This was the outcome of a national workshop organized in 1998 with the support of USIS, Chennai, and in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington DC, USA.

Testing the quality of milk in Chennai

Using the random sampling technique, a number of samples of various brands of milk were picked up from the market and subjected to an exhaustive test. Fortunately, the tests revealed that the various brands of milk were not adulterated and conformed to standards laid down. Only one brand out of six showed slightly lower fat content than what was printed on the sachet. Even this was found to be within acceptable limits.

Testing for adulteration of petrol and diesel in Chennai

A massive exercise was undertaken by CONCERT to quantify adulteration that is rampant in our country.  Using random sampling techniques, 21 petrol stations out of 145 in Chennai were nominated for drawing samples.

Samples were handed over to the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Chennai for testing.  The results showed 100 % adulteration of petrol and diesel drawn from the nominated retail outlets. This landmark test report created a stir and sent shock waves throughout the country.

A study group was constituted at the suggestion of CONCERT, by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, New Delhi in consultation with the Ministry of Petroleum, to quickly identify a simple test to detect petroleum adulteration. CONCERT has published a monograph on this subject.

Aggressive steps are being taken to take this project to its logical conclusion.

A special appeal has been made through the Finance Minister and Consumer Affairs Minister to remove the basic cause of adulteration, which is the large differential in prices between the PDS kerosene, diesel and high cost of petrol.

The lab would draw samples from retail fuel outlets and analyze them to detect the adulterants. In Phase I the retail outlets in Chennai would be covered. In Phase II, it would be extended to the entire state of Tamil Nadu. 

Eventually this fuel-testing lab would serve as a model lab and would be replicated in other states

The Fuel Testing Lab would be managed by a nominated trustee who will be assisted by a Director of the Lab, a Senior Scientist and a team of chemists etc.

After several meetings and discussions, finally the Fuel Testing Laboratory – the first of its kind in the NGO sector was set up with assistance from USAEP and California Air Resources Board with collaboration from the Tamil Nadu Government and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.  The laboratory was inaugurated by the then Consul General for United States of America in

The laboratory has published its findings in a report that was presented to the Ministry of Petroleum at a seminar conducted by CONCERT on “Curbing Adulteration in Petroleum Products” in July 2006 where the Minister for Petroleum, Government of India, Secretary of the Petroleum Ministry and Secretary of the Consumer Affairs Ministry were present.

This was the first time that all the stakeholders – representatives from the oil industry, the regulators and the consumers were present to discuss all the issues on a common platform.

This Seminar was a turning point in the annals of CONCERT as a Chennai Declaration was announced by the Minister and the Government has promised to support CONCERT in its activities and help to upgrade the laboratory.

Vehicle Safety Test Facility

CONCERT proposes to set up a Vehicle Safety Test facility in Tamil Nadu.

Eventually, CONCERT intends to develop a Vehicle Recall System by vehicle manufacturers for defective vehicles.

CONCERT’s Future Plans:

It would provide consumers authentic information about the safety of products used in day-to-day life.  Currently all product testing is done by manufacturers or their associates. The results are not published for public knowledge.

There is need for transparency in testing therefore; testing needs to be done   in the public domain.

Today, in this country, there is no single laboratory, which can issue a certificate of quality. A Centre that would do this is essential for protecting the interests and safety of consumers in our country.