The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced comprehensive rules to standardise diamond descriptions across India's jewellery market, addressing long-standing concerns about misleading terminology and consumer confusion. The new framework, designated as IS 19469:2025, brings Indian standards in line with the global ISO 18323:2015 standard and establishes uniform disclosure requirements for both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds.

Regulatory Framework and Industry Impact

The standardisation initiative addresses inconsistent terminology that has made it difficult for buyers to distinguish between different diamond categories at the point of purchase. Industry bodies have welcomed the move, with the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) noting that the rules introduce enforceable definitions and disclosures that strengthen consumer protection across the jewellery market.

The framework particularly targets online jewellery sales, where misleading claims have been more prevalent due to the absence of standardised disclosure requirements.

Key Changes Under New BIS Rules

The regulatory framework introduces several specific requirements for diamond terminology and marketing:

Consumer Protection and Market Implications

The new framework is expected to create more uniform product descriptions across retail stores and e-commerce platforms, enabling buyers to clearly identify diamond types before making purchase decisions. Namita Kothari, Founder at Akoirah by Augmont, emphasised that the clarification supports informed consumer choice without altering the fundamental nature of laboratory-grown diamonds.

According to industry experts, clear labelling allows brands to position products based on design, craftsmanship, and use-case rather than relying on comparison-based claims that may mislead consumers.

Industry Alignment and Implementation

The BIS rules are expected to significantly influence diamond marketing and disclosure practices across the industry. Jewellers and online platforms will need to align their product descriptions and marketing materials with the updated national standard to ensure compliance.

The standardisation effort represents a broader move toward transparency in India's diamond and jewellery sector, providing consumers with the clarity needed to make informed purchasing decisions in both traditional retail and digital marketplace environments.

The Indian government is set to introduce stricter technical and functional requirements for lifts serving people with disabilities, a move that will compel property and infrastructure developers nationwide to redesign their accessibility features. This initiative represents a renewed push to the Accessible India campaign launched in 2015, aimed at improving mobility and access for divyangjans across buildings, workplaces, public transport, and daily infrastructure.

Comprehensive Design Requirements

The proposed framework establishes detailed specifications that lift manufacturers and infrastructure developers must follow. Under these new standards, lifts for people with disabilities must be strategically located along accessible routes, featuring defined entrance designs and minimum clear door openings. The lift car dimensions will be standardized specifically to accommodate wheelchair users, with enhanced requirements particularly for public buildings.

Addressing Critical Accessibility Gaps

The new standards address longstanding challenges in India's accessibility framework, where inconsistent interpretations and uneven enforcement have often resulted in lifts that are difficult or unsafe for people with disabilities to use. With India home to 26.8 million people with disabilities representing 2.21% of the population, these improvements are essential for inclusive infrastructure development.

Jaijit Bhattacharya, founder and president of the Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research, emphasized that while accessibility is mandated under the RPwD Act, inconsistent technical standards and weak enforcement have limited outcomes. The new harmonized lift norms embedded into building regulations are expected to significantly improve mobility, independence, and participation for persons with disabilities.

Advanced Door Operations and Safety Features

The standards place particular emphasis on door operations and safety mechanisms. Key features include adjustable door dwell times, allowing doors to remain fully open for sufficient duration before closing, and non-contact door sensors that provide adequate time for users to enter or exit without assistance.

Inclusive Communication Systems

The proposed standards prioritize inclusive communication within lifts through comprehensive design requirements. Control panels will incorporate tactile markings and braille, complemented by visual and audible indicators to support users with different disabilities. Emergency communication systems are designed to be accessible and simple to operate, while automatic rescue arrangements aim to minimize distress during power failures or breakdowns.

Industry Response and Implementation

Amt Gossain, managing director of KONE India & South Asia, noted that accessibility represents a core design principle across smart movement solutions, ensuring safe, intuitive, and independent mobility for people with diverse physical and sensory needs. The company supports features such as wheelchair-friendly cabins, extended door timings, tactile and audio guidance, and compliant control panels for seamless movement.

From a policy perspective, these upcoming standards are significant because they embed accessibility directly into technical specifications rather than treating it as an add-on. The standards will replace existing norms and form part of the broader framework governing lifts for transport of persons and goods, aligned with the Harmonized Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility (2021) and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Rules, 2023.

Strategic Implementation Timeline

Lift manufacturers and infrastructure developers have indicated that early clarity on final requirements will help them plan product design, certification, and procurement timelines. This is particularly crucial as India's urban infrastructure expands rapidly and retrofit demand rises in older buildings. The industry looks forward to working with policymakers, developers, and advocacy groups to drive effective implementation and advance truly inclusive mobility nationwide.