Mysuru: Innovation and standardisation must move together to promote quality, safety and sustainable development, said S Nagarajan, chief scientist, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).He was speaking at the Standards Conclave 2026, organised by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Bengaluru Branch Office, in Mysuru to mark World Standards Day on Monday. The conclave brought together BIS licensees, industry representatives, experts, educational institutions and students to highlight the practical applications of standards.Nagarajan said this year’s theme, ‘Shared Vision for a Better World’, focusing on SDG 7—Affordable and Clean Energy, underlined the need for industry, academia and research institutions to work together. Standards help translate scientific advances into measurable requirements, ensuring that new technologies are safe, reliable, efficient and suitable for real-world use, he said.Referring to food safety, Nagarajan said CFTRI’s Food Safety and Analytical Quality Control Laboratory tests imported and domestic food products for compliance with BIS and FSSAI standards.Stressing industry-academia collaboration, he said students should gain practical exposure through industry-linked projects and vocational training to improve employability. Encouraging students, particularly those from govt schools, Nagarajan said curiosity, questioning and practical learning would help shape the technologies of the future.Sushma Rao, head, BIS, Bengaluru branch office, said, “Standards provide the foundation for quality, safety, reliability and sustainability while building confidence among consumers, manufacturers and other stakeholders.” She said standards play a vital role in everyday life and in strengthening industries and the economy. She said quality should become an integral part of everyday life and a shared responsibility, rather than merely a technical requirement.Vinodini Kishore, director, BIS Bengaluru; Vijay Kumar, joint director, BIS Bengaluru; Vinay GR, head manufacturing excellence systems, and Shivakumar KL, head QA & QMS, JK Tyre; Prakash Rao, GM, maintenance, and NA Aswin, assistant manager, EHS, Kaynes Technology, were also present.
