`Designed in India' welcome 2006

THE Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is all set to roll out the National Design Policy as a new-year gift to Indian designers in January 2006. As per the policy, those products coming under its ambit will require to meet certain minimum quality parameters before using the `Designed in India' label in the world market.

"The National Design Policy will be announced in January. Merely coming out with a policy statement will not suffice, as it will have to be followed up with implementation. Among other things, the `Designed in India' label will have to be linked with a certain quality specification," Mr N.N. Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said.

The attempt would be to position `Designed in India' as a label that assures quality and utility. This could be in conjunction with other labels - `Made in India' and `Served from India'.A mechanism will be worked out for creating a brand image for Indian designs through the award of an `India Design Mark' that satisfy certain criteria such as appeal, centricity, ergonomic features, safety and environment findings.

The tenure of the design policy will be three years and the Government is planning to come with a second design policy by that time.