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

## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Indian Standard IS 966:2023 - Desiccated Coconut Specification **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Indian Standard IS 966:2023, concerning the specification for desiccated coconut. The document is a notification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) announcing Amendment No. 1 to the standard. This report focuses on the impact of this amendment, its key provisions, and the likely effects of its implementation. Key findings are the specific date the amendment came into effect and the date till which the standard without the amendment shall remain in force. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of the Amendment No. 1 to Indian Standard IS 966:2023 for desiccated coconut, based solely on the information provided in the given text from the Gazette of India. The report analyzes the purpose, provisions, and implications of this amendment to the Indian Standard. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** Indian Standard IS 966:2023, "Desiccated Coconut Specification Third Revision" * **Core Objective(s):** The document itself does not explicitly state the objective of the original IS 966:2023, but based on the title, it can be inferred that it aims to define and maintain standards for the quality and specification of desiccated coconut within India. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text doesn't give specific reasons for *why* this particular amendment was necessary. However, it can be reasonably inferred that the amendment addresses a need for updating or clarifying the original specification. Amendments to standards are commonly implemented to address evolving industry practices, technological advancements, or to rectify oversights in the original document. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This section focuses specifically on the changes introduced by Amendment No. 1. * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The document does not specify which exact sections of the standard are impacted. * **New Rule/Provision:** Amendment No. 1 to IS 966:2023 was established on **May 13, 2025**, and the standard without the amendment shall remain in force until **November 12, 2025**. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The amendment becomes effective on May 13, 2025, meaning all desiccated coconut produced or assessed after this date should adhere to the amended standards. Between May 13th and November 12th, both the amended and unamended standards are valid. After November 12th, only the amended standard will be valid. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the primary stakeholders affected by this amendment are: * Manufacturers and producers of desiccated coconut within India. * Testing laboratories and certification bodies responsible for assessing desiccated coconut quality. * Consumers who rely on the IS 966 standard for desiccated coconut as a benchmark for quality and safety. * The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Department of Consumer Affairs. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the responsible body for establishing and notifying the amendment. The Department of Consumer Affairs oversees the BIS. * **Timelines:** * Amendment established: May 13, 2025 * Standard without amendment remains in force until: November 12, 2025 * **Implementation related to changes:** Manufacturers need to update their processes and testing protocols to align with the requirements of Amendment No. 1, before November 12, 2025. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of this amendment is to improve the quality, consistency, and safety of desiccated coconut available in the Indian market. The changes should also ensure that Indian standards remain up-to-date and aligned with best practices. **9. Conclusion:** Amendment No. 1 to Indian Standard IS 966:2023 for desiccated coconut, effective from May 13, 2025, is a significant development for the industry. Industry stakeholders should review the full amendment to understand its implications and ensure compliance by November 12, 2025, when the previous standard is no longer valid. The implementation of this amendment should help maintain and improve the quality standards of desiccated coconut in India.

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