Why in news?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published new standards for medical assistive technologies, aligned with the National List of Essential Assistive Products (NLEAP) of the Indian Council of Medical Research. These standards support the Accessible India Campaign and aim to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
Background
Assistive technologies include devices that help people with mobility, vision or other impairments lead independent lives. Till now, India lacked uniform standards for many such products, resulting in inconsistent quality and safety.
- Products covered: the standards cover mobility aids such as elbow crutches, walking sticks and multi‑leg sticks; tactile guide maps; braille signage; and portable ramps.
- Development: BIS’s Medical Equipment and Hospital Planning division (MHD 09) developed these norms in collaboration with ICMR, AIIMS, industry experts and organisations like Jaipur‑based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti.
- Alignment with ISO: the Indian standards are harmonised with international guidelines to ensure products meet global benchmarks of safety and performance.
- Objectives: to improve accessibility, promote local manufacturing, and encourage innovation so that persons with disabilities can participate fully in society.
Adopting these standards will help manufacturers produce reliable and affordable assistive devices. It also supports India’s commitments under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and improves the country’s competitiveness in the global assistive technology market.
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