The BIS has published a new Standard IS 15793 :2007 on “Managing Environment and Occupational Safety & Health Legal Compliance – Requirements of Good Practices”. The Standard was developed by the Sectional Committee CHD 8 on Occupational Safety & Health and Chemical Hazards chaired by Shri K C Gupta, DG, NSC. Earlier the Committee had discussed and approved in its 7^th meeting held in the NSC Board Room on 13^th July 2007. The Meeting was attended by 22 members of the Committee. The standard will provide an option to organizations for demonstrating their compliance with legal requirements related to environment and occupational safety and health by following good practices as given in the standard through inspection by an external organisation.

Earlier a Panel was set up by the Sectional Committee to develop the standard under the Convenorship of Shri P M Rao, DDG, NSC. Other members on the Panel were representatives of the Ministries of Labour & Employment and Environment & Forests, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization, Central Pollution Control Board, Quality Council of India, Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises, Association of Certification Bodies in India and Bureau of Indian Standards. The Panel met twice in NSC on 16^th November, 06 and 24^th January, 07 and prepared a draft of the Standard. The Draft was sent in wide circulation in March, 07 for receiving comments. The comments received were discussed in the 3^rd Meeting of the Panel held in NSC on 13^th July, 07. 

BIS decided to develop the standard, based on the recommendations of a Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Member (Industry), Planning Commission with an objective of providing an alternative to the statutory inspections from the regulatory agencies.

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