BIS Issues New Standards for Water Quality and Food Microbiology

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has officially notified the introduction of several new Indian Standards. These cover textiles, water quality testing, and microbiology of the food chain. The new norms will be effective from this month, with select older standards scheduled for withdrawal on 26th February 2026.

Strengthening Water Quality Standards

A major highlight of the notification is the addition of new standards for microbiological water testing. These are based on ISO guidelines and will significantly improve the detection of pathogens and the reliability of testing in India.

Standard    Based on ISO    Subject

IS 19200:2025    ISO 15553:2006    Detection of Cryptosporidium & Giardia

IS 19333 (Part 1):2025    ISO 16266:2006    Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Membrane Method)

IS 19333 (Part 2):2025    ISO 16266-2:2018    Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MPN Method)

IS 19338:2025    ISO 29201:2012    Variability & Uncertainty in Microbiological Methods

IS 19342:2025    ISO 17995:2019    Detection of Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp.

IS 19352:2025    ISO/TS 12869:2019    Legionella detection via qPCR

These standards are particularly crucial for public health, drinking water safety, and industrial water use.

Food Chain Microbiology Standards

In addition, BIS has released new standards to enhance food safety and quality assurance in India’s food and agriculture sector.

Standard    Based on ISO    Subject

IS 18349 (Part 2):2025    ISO 15213-2:2023    Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens

IS 18349 (Part 3):2025    ISO/TS 15213-3:2024    Detection of Clostridium perfringens

IS 19353:2025    ISO/TS 17728:2015    Sampling Techniques for Food & Feed Microbiology
 
These standards will help strengthen microbial testing across food processing, storage, and agricultural practices.

Transition Timeline

With these revisions, BIS continues its efforts to align Indian testing protocols with global standards. The updates are expected to improve consumer safety, industrial quality assurance, and international trade compatibility.