In pursuance of Subrule 1 of Rule (15) of the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018, the Bureau of Indian Standards

## Report on Amendments to Indian Standards (August 2022) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) dated August 18, 2022, concerning amendments to several Indian Standards. The core purpose of these amendments is to update existing standards with revisions and corrections, ensuring their continued relevance and accuracy. Key findings include the identification of five amended standards across various sectors, including refractory materials, steel tubes, structural steels, and information technology security. These amendments introduce changes related to testing methods, specifications, and security techniques. The report details the specific changes, their impact, and the implementation timelines based on the provided notification. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview of a notification published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regarding amendments to existing Indian Standards. This analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This notification concerns *amendments* to existing Indian Standards. The core objective, inferred from the text, is to update and improve existing standards to reflect current technological advancements, address identified shortcomings, and maintain the quality and reliability of products and processes within India. The standards being amended cover diverse areas, suggesting a broad effort to maintain contemporary relevance across various industries. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text focuses solely on the *amendments*. Therefore, the rationale discussed here pertains to *why these specific changes* were likely introduced. Based on the text, the amendments are likely driven by the need to: * Incorporate new technological developments. * Correct errors or ambiguities in existing standards. * Align Indian standards with international best practices (as suggested by the reference to ISO standards in some of the amendments). * Improve the efficiency and accuracy of testing and certification processes. * Enhance security measures in information technology. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** The notification details amendments to the following standards: * **IS 1528 Part 4 : 2012:** Amendment No. 1 pertains to "Methods of Sampling and Physical Tests for Refractory Materials Part 4 Determination of Cold Crushing Strength of Dense Shaped Refractories Products Second Revision". The amendment likely refines the process for determining the cold crushing strength of refractory materials. The *effect* of this change is likely to improve the accuracy and consistency of the cold crushing strength test, leading to better quality control in the refractory materials industry. * **IS 6398 Part 2 : 2020ISO 108932 : 2011:** Amendment No. 1 pertains to "NonDestructive Testing of Steel Tubes Part 2 Automated Eddy Current Testing of Seamless and Welded Except Submerged ArcWelded Steel Tubes for the Detection of Imperfections Second Revision". This change likely updates the testing procedures for imperfections in steel tubes using automated eddy current methods. The *effect* of this change is likely to improve the detection of flaws, leading to safer and more reliable steel tubes. * **IS 11587 : 1986:** Amendment No. 1 pertains to "Specification for Structural Weather Resistant Steels". This likely modifies the specifications for structural steels resistant to weather effects. The *effect* of this change is likely to improve the durability and lifespan of steel structures exposed to weather, such as bridges and buildings. * **ISISOIEC 117704 : 2017:** Amendment No. 2 pertains to "Information Technology Security Techniques Key Management Part 4 Mechanisms Based on Weak Secrets". This likely updates the security protocols related to key management using weak secrets in IT systems. The *effect* of this change is likely to enhance the security of key management practices, reducing vulnerabilities to cyberattacks. * **ISISOIEC 180335 : 2015:** Amendment No. 1 pertains to "Information Technology Security Techniques Encryption Algorithms Part 5 IdentityBased Ciphers". This amendment likely introduces changes to encryption algorithms based on identity-based ciphers. The *effect* of this change is likely to improve the efficiency and security of encryption methods in IT systems, particularly for identity-based cryptography. All amendments listed in the notification are set to remain in effect until 4 Sept 2022 or 15 Sept 2022, depending on the specific standard. This implies a sunset clause if no further action is taken, presumably prompting another review or further amendment. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the standards being amended, the target audience and stakeholders include: * Manufacturers and suppliers of refractory materials. * Manufacturers and suppliers of steel tubes. * Manufacturers and suppliers of structural weather-resistant steels. * Information technology security professionals. * Organizations that rely on secure key management and encryption techniques. * Testing and certification agencies involved in verifying compliance with these standards. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency:** Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). * **Timelines:** The amendments were established on dates in August 2022. The amendments are set to expire on either 4th or 15th September 2022, if no further action is taken. The industries will be impacted during this period by these ammendments. * It is inferred that the implementation involves updating manufacturing processes, testing procedures, and IT security protocols to align with the amended standards. This requires dissemination of information to relevant stakeholders and training to ensure compliance. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes are: * Improved quality and reliability of refractory materials and steel products. * Enhanced safety and durability of steel structures. * Strengthened information security practices. * Greater alignment with international standards, facilitating trade and collaboration. * More efficient and accurate testing and certification processes. **9. Conclusion:** The notification from the Bureau of Indian Standards details critical amendments to several Indian Standards across various sectors. These changes aim to update existing standards, incorporate technological advancements, and address identified shortcomings. While the text provides limited detail about the specific nature of the changes, the overall effect is expected to improve the quality, reliability, and security of products and processes in India, contributing to economic growth and consumer protection. This report highlights the key information contained in the notification, its implications for various stakeholders, and the likely intended outcomes. The timely implementation and adherence to these amended standards are crucial for ensuring their intended benefits are realized.

Key Entities Referenced