Quality Council of India (QCI) and National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen quality standards, competitiveness, and market access for India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The partnership aims to create an integrated support ecosystem by converging major government initiatives, digital commerce platforms, quality certification mechanisms, and capacity-building programmes.
Key Highlights of MoU
The collaboration seeks to establish a unified support framework for MSMEs by integrating several flagship initiatives and schemes.
Integrated National Initiatives
The partnership will bring together:
- MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme
- MSME Global Mart
- TEAM Initiative
- Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS)
This integrated approach will enhance MSMEs’ quality, digital readiness, competitiveness, and market reach.
Major Benefits for MSMEs
Digital Market Access: ZED-certified MSMEs will receive-
- Access to MSME Global Mart for digital commerce.
- Onboarding onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) through the TEAM Initiative.
- AI-enabled product cataloguing.
- Export promotion support.
Quality & Accreditation Support: The collaboration will also-
- Strengthen convergence between ZED Certification and NSIC’s Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS).
- Support NABL accreditation for NSIC testing laboratories.
- Enable NABET-led assessments, accreditation, and capacity-building programmes for NSIC training centres and laboratories.
Implementation Mechanism
- A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) will be constituted by QCI and NSIC.
- The Committee will:
- Monitor implementation of the MoU.
- Review progress periodically.
- Identify new areas of collaboration.
- Duration of MoU: Five years.
Quality Council of India (QCI)
- It is India’s national quality assurance and accreditation body established under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- Established: 1996
- Nature: Non-profit organization
- Registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
- Functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- It is an autonomous, non-statutory society.
Structure
- Governed by a 38-member council representing: Industry, Government, Various stakeholders
- Chairman is appointed by Prime Minister.
Major Functions
QCI operates through several accreditation boards, including:
- National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories – Testing and calibration laboratories.
- National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers – Healthcare institutions.
- National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies – Certification bodies.
- National Accreditation Board for Education and Training – Education, training, assessments, and accreditation.
Role
- Promotes quality standards in products and services.
- Facilitates third-party quality assessment.
- Supports the “Gunvatta Se Atmanirbharta” initiative.
- Enhances MSME competitiveness and international trade standards.
National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
- It is a Mini Ratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of MSME.
- Established: 1955
- Ownership: 100% Government of India
- Status: Mini Ratna CPSE
- Operates with financial and operational autonomy.
Objective
To promote the growth of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) through integrated support in:
- Marketing
- Technology
- Finance
Major Functions & Schemes
- Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS):
- Enables MSMEs to participate in government procurement.
- Provides exemption from:cEarnest Money Deposit (EMD) and Tender fees
- Credit facilitation.
- Raw material assistance.
- Technology support.
National SC-ST Hub: NSIC serves as the nodal agency for the National SC-ST Hub, which promotes:
- Entrepreneurship among SC/ST communities.
- Greater participation of SC/ST enterprises in public procurement.
Target Beneficiaries
- Primarily supports Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by addressing resource, technology, and credit constraints.