Work Plan 2023 for the Indo-German QI Dialogue adopted

India

The ninth Annual Meeting of the Indo-German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure took place in Berlin on 25 April 2023. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution adopted the Work Plan for 2023. A strong focus is on green and digital transformation.

People sit together at a table and look at a screen.
Participants of the 9th Annual Meeting discuss QI trends. © Thomas Ecke / GIZ

10 years of Indo-German cooperation: continuity, success and relevance

 

This year's meeting marks the 10th anniversary of the Working Group. Dr Daniela Brönstrup, Director General for Digital and Innovation Policy (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action – BMWK) and Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary for Consumer Protection (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution – MoCAF&PD) emphasised the importance of the Working Group. It is an important platform for the development of joint solutions to reduce technical barriers to trade and to promote fair competition, innovation, and consumer protection.

 

Direct exchange on QI trends in India and Germany

 

During the Annual Meeting, stakeholders from QI bodies and industry provided insights on current QI developments in Germany and in India. The goal is to harmonise QI in the two countries on an international level.

 

Rajeev Sharma (Bureau of Indian Standards – BIS) presented important areas of standardisation in India for the next four years. They are defined in the recently published Indian Standards National Action Plan. Joachim Lonien (German Institute for Standardization – DIN) and Christian Marian (German Commission for Electrotechnical, Electronic & Information Technologies in DIN and VDE – DKE) presented the new German Standardisation Roadmaps Circular Economy and Industrie 4.0. Both provide guidance and recommendations for action for the respective standardisation areas.  


With digital applications and new approaches, QI can be made more efficient. Rakesh Kumar (BIS) presented current market surveillance activities in India. Stephan Winkelmann (German Federal Network Agency – BNetzA) addressed applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the market surveillance of E-Commerce. Sabine Reinkober (German Accreditation Body – DAkkS) added to the discussion on the digital accreditation symbol.


Pallavi Mishra (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry – FICCI) and Sonia Prashar (Indo-German Chamber of Commerce – IGCC) shared their perspectives on QI-related opportunities for cooperation within the Working Group. Representatives of Indian and German industry also shared common challenges in the field of QI.

 

Two women facing each other exchange a document. In the foreground are a German and an Indian flag.
Nidhi Khare and Dr Daniela Brönstrup exchange the Work Plan 2023. © Thomas Ecke / GIZ

Focus on digital and green transformation and QI digital

 

During the meeting, the Work Plan for 2023 was signed. It includes cooperation topics that will be implemented in the Working Group in the current year. A strong focus is on the green and digital transformation as well as the digitalisation of QI. For the implementation of the Work Plan, all stakeholders from QI bodies and industry are invited to share their expertise.

 

A press release issued by MoCAF&PD on the event can be found here. In addition, several Indian media reported on the successful signing of the Work Plan 2023.

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