Testing enables manufacturers and regulatory bodies to evaluate whether products, processes, systems, or personnel adhere to the requirements identified in a specified standard. It is closely associated with standards and provide the end user with a measure of confidence. A test laboratory contributes by providing inputs that enable test method validation and improvement. In addition, a test laboratory promotes the growth of knowledge and supports the certification process. It is in this context that BIS has established a network of eight laboratories of its own in the country and recognized some outside labs to cater to testing of samples generated from its Conformity Assessment Schemes. All BIS Laboratories are separate entities and managed by BIS with its Headquarters at Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110 002 (India).

HISTORY OF BANGALORE BRANCH LABORATORY (BNBL)

BIS Bangalore office was initially functioning at a rental space at Unity Building Complex, Mission Road, Bangalore. Subsequently BIS procured 3.5 acre land at Peenya Industrial area, Tumkur Road and the existing building was built from where Bangalore branch office and Bangalore laboratory are functioning till date to cater the needs of Industries in Karnataka.

The then Honourable Karnataka Chief Minister Shri Ramakrishna Hegde inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of the BIS Bangalore Laboratory building on 26.11.1986 . The then honorable state minister of Industries and power Shri J.H Patel , the then district collector Shri M.K Venkatarama Gowda IAS, our beloved former Director General Shri K.R. Parameshwar and Shri Srinivas , member of Legislative assembly and other dignitaries of small scale industry development board of Karnataka were present in the inauguration.

The BIS Bangalore laboratory started operating at the new building at Peenya Industrial Area, Tumkur Road in 1988. The major testing sections functioning initially were Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical test sections. Microbiology testing section was set up in the year 2006.

BNBL is only lab in BIS to have test facilities for handles of domestic pressure cookers as per IS 2347, CFL as per IS 15111 (Part 1& 2), Control Gear as per IS 15885 (Part2, Section 13), Luminaires as per IS 10322 (Part 1to 8), GLS lamps as per IS 418, Miscellaneous Lamps as per IS 6701 and test facilities for LED lamps as per IS 16102 (Part1).

The major products that are being tested in BNBL are Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) and Containers for PDW, Cements, Domestic Pressure Cookers, Water Storage Tanks, Irrigation Lateral Pipes, Milk Powder, Synthetic Food Colors and Surgical Gloves.