EUROPE | OCTOBER 2021| ISSUE 09

Message From SESEI

Greeting from Project SESEI!!!
Dear Readers,

A very warm welcome to the ninth edition of the “SESEI newsletter - Europe”. The main objective of the SESEI newsletters is to bring select updates on the activities, new initiatives and market development information from India concerning project priority sectors. The EU - India strategic alliance & collaboration is gaining importance and momentum as witnessed in the recently held engagements and it is our endeavour to bring value to our stakeholders by providing them relevant information, updates, and insights from India.

First, I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and extend sincere thanks to all of you for your kind participation to our SESEI IV Survey and providing valuable insight. The results collected from the survey have helped validated the needs, effectiveness, and support this project SESEI has provided to its stakeholders and to the overall project objectives. The survey data not only substantiates the synergies generated between Indian and European standardisation community but also helped in getting interesting insights and feedback such as how they think the project has benefited them, what more they desire further, appreciation for the contributions made by the project expert and their desire for the collaboration to continue between India and EU.

This newsletter carries updates from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) covering release of guidance document on Quality Control Order (QCO) for products where use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is mandatory, and which explains various requirements specified in QCOs for better understanding towards implementation by the stakeholders. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs) have sought public comments/suggestions on draft Consume Protection (Direct selling) Rules, 2021. As per the draft rules, direct selling companies must register themselves under relevant Indian laws and with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for allotment of a registration number.

Another interesting development is around the India’s Urban Data Exchange (IUDX), an open-source data exchange platform for Indian Smart Cities, which has decided to adopt BIS standards for this Unified Data Exchange. In doing so, IUDX has become the first software platform in the country to fully adhere to the Architecture and API Specifications set by the standards’ body for data exchange platforms. The Unified Data Exchange standard – IS 18003, is part of a series of 10 indigenous standards developed by BIS Smart Infrastructural Sectional Committee (LITD 28) for Indian Smart Cities to ensure a secure and sustainable digital infrastructure and to facilitate the implementation of various smart city projects. The foundational standard for this series is IS18000 Unified Digital Infrastructure – ICT Reference Architecture (UDI-ICTRA) and Unified Data Exchange Part 2 API specifications (IS 18003: Part 2: 2021) includes NGSI-LD (ETSI CIM). The commerce ministry said it unveiled plans for freight smart cities to improve urban freight efficiency and create an opportunity for reduction in the logistics costs.

For those interested in the Mobility, EV Charging guidelines and handbook is developed and released Jointly by the NITI Aayog, the Power Ministry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the World Resources Institute, India. The handbook provides a systematic and a holistic approach for adoption by implementing authorities and other stakeholders involved in planning, authorisation and execution of electric vehicles charging infrastructure. Niti Aayog (Govt. Think Tank) have also released reports on Fundamentals of Electric Vehicle Charging Technology and its Grid Integration and International Review on Integration of Electric Vehicles charging infrastructure with distribution grid. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has also indigenously developed charger for electric vehicles considering the need to boost up the charging mechanism of electric vehicles in the country. Govt of India have released a Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (VVMP), also known as the Vehicle Scrapping Policy, and notified Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for automobile and auto components.

In the ICT sector, India is being touted as one of the four leading markets for 5G devices, even though the spectrum auction for 5G is yet to begin in India. Top trade and technology bodies from the US and UK have told the Indian government to adopt the 5G standards that have been recommended by the 3GPP. Similarly, India has reported the highest increase in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at 45%, as compared to other major economies (the US at 35%, the UK at 23 % and Japan at 28 %). IT services and technology sectors contribute to more than 60% of the AI market, followed by Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), engineering and retail. An ambitious incentive scheme worth up to Rs 12,000 crore (€1.4 billion) is in the works to encourage companies to set up data centres in the country. Telecom department's apex body the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has cleared a provision of using satellite connectivity in telecom networks to provide services in remote areas where it is difficult to lay optical fibre network.

I would also encourage you to download and read the report prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on making India a $1 trillion digital economy over the next few years. The report elaborates on the initiative for making India the largest connected nation in the world, bringing coherence into digital governance, simplifying rules and legislations for technology and social media companies, and focusing on building India’s high-tech prowess. Govt has also earmarked Rs 22,500 crore (€2.6 billion) for smart pre-paid meters under new discom scheme.

For those interested in the circular economy (CE) and resource efficiency (RE), the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has formulated policy paper on circular economy to deal with E-Waste. This policy paper will resonate with many of you actively engaged in the CE/RE related activities. Govt. is also exploring the possibility of Hydrogen Fuel Cells to be used as fuel for the future of the country and made clean energy commitments at UN summit India.

We encourage our stakeholders to make optimal use of this SESEI Newsletter and get required information on sector of your interest. The newsletter also comprises updates around Manufacturing/Make in India, R&D and Innovation, EU-India/Trade-FTA/Investments and of upcoming important events/ seminars, workshops and the detailed annexure covering draft standards as being formulated by the standardization bodies.

Hope you will find this Newsletter informative. Happy Reading!!!!

Warm regards,
Dinesh Chand Sharma (Seconded European Standardization Expert in India)
Director – Standards & Public Policy
Mobile: +91 9810079461, Desk: +91 11 3352 1525
E-mail: dinesh.chand.sharma@sesei.eu

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Message From SESEI

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Mobility

NITI Aayog launches guide for setting up EV charging points

2021-10-17 174 0

To enhance the necessary infrastructure to facilitate a rapid transition to electric mobility in the country, the NITI Aayog released a handbook to help state governments and local bodies to frame policies and norms towards setting up charging networks for electric vehicles.
Jointly developed by the NITI Aayog, the Power Ministry, the Department of Science and Technology, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the World Resources Institute, India, the handbook provides a systematic and a holistic approach for adoption by implementing authorities and other stakeholders involved in planning, authorisation and execution of electric vehicles charging infrastructure.

TAGS #NITIAayog

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ARAI Successfully Develops Indigenous Chargers for Electric Vehicles

2021-10-17 182 0

The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has indigenously developed charger for electric vehicles considering the need to boost up the charging mechanism of electric vehicles in the country announced, Director, ARAI during a press conference. He said that to promote EV, infrastructure for charging is important and since the mobility chargers are imported, the focus of ARAI is to develop chargers indigenously, which will be cost-effective and boost the local economy. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has already set a common standard specification for EV chargers. The charging points will be set up by Bharat Electronics and parts for EV charger systems will be manufactured locally.

TAGS #ARAI

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PM launches Vehicle Scrappage Policy

2021-10-17 180 0

Prime Minister launched the Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (VVMP), also known as the Vehicle Scrapping Policy. The vehicle scrappage policy will bring in investments of around INR 10,000 crore (€1.2 billion) to set up 450-500 Automated Testing Stations (ATS) and 60-70 Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSF) across the country. A single window clearance portal is being developed where the applications for ATS and RVSF will be catered through a single portal within 60 days. A vehicle will be declared as End-of-Life or unfit if it fails the automated fitness test, the allowed retest and reinspection test if ordered by the appellate authorities.

TAGS #PM

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Government notifies PLI scheme for auto sector

2021-10-17 152 0

The government has notified Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for automobile and auto components after approving it on September 15. The PLI Scheme aims to overcome the cost of disabilities and encourage the industry to make fresh investments to make advanced auto products. It is estimated that in five years, this PLI Scheme will lead to fresh investments of over Rs 42,500 crore (€8.5 billion), and incremental production of over Rs 2.3 lakh crore (€27 billion). It will create additional jobs of over 7.5 lakh jobs and enhance India's share in the global automotive trade

TAGS #PLI #scheme

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Government Plans Institution to Fund Businesses Focused on Electric Vehicles

2021-10-17 116 0

According to a recent report, India’s electric vehicle financing industry is projected to be worth Rs 3.7 lakh crore (€43.5 billion) in 2030, which would be about 80% of the current retail vehicle finance industry. The government is planning to set up an institution to fund businesses with a focus on electric vehicles as well as facilitate new financial instruments for lending to the public transportation and commercial vehicle segment, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said. Gadkari also said the government is planning to bring incentives for construction equipment vehicles to encourage them to become electric ones.

TAGS #vehicle

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Indian EV industry records INR 25,045 crore (€2.9 billion) investments in last seven months

2021-10-17 134 0

The Covid-19 pandemic and its damage to the Indian economy did not deter the discerning investors from lapping up opportunities in the electric vehicle and e-mobility sector. Many financial deals and the funds involved vindicate this fact. Collective investment done by e2W, e4W, EV component makers, electric commercial vehicles, and last-mile delivery companies was recorded at INR 25,045.31 crores (€2.9 billion) during January-July 2021. Electric commercial vehicles led the investments with a 32% share. Electric 4W saw an investment of 28% where M&M invested INR 3000 crore (€0.35 billion) making its contribution at 12%. It has already invested INR 1,700 crore (€0.2 billion) in India's EV business, with another INR 500 crore earmarked for a new research and development (R&D) centre

TAGS #mobility

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NITI Aayog released following reports

2021-10-17 120 0

Report 1 - Fundamentals of Electric Vehicle Charging Technology and its Grid Integration Read more/Download>>

Report 2 - International Review on Integration of Electric Vehicles charging infrastructure with distribution grid.

TAGS #vehicle

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Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways issued following notifications:

2021-10-17 117 0

Exempting Battery Operated Vehicles from paying fees for the issuance or renewal of registration certificates, as well as the assignment of new registration marks. Read more>>

Order specifying types of Motor Vehicle on the basis of its usage Read more>>
Regarding Electronic Monitoring and Enforcement for Road Safety Read more>>
Procedure for Accreditation of Testing Agencies.

TAGS #ministry

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Railway Ministry issued following notifications:

2021-10-17 137 0

Implementation of Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017. Read more>>
Ensuring full compliance of Public Procurement product (Preference to ‘Make in India’ Order), 2017 Read more>>
Misclassification of Goods as Works in procurement

TAGS #railway

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