Science-based mandatory standards and the implementation gap: The case of bottled water regulations in India

Abstract

Science-based standards and regulation-making is not a new phenomenon in India. In fact, Indian regulatory institutions have been developing standards and evolving in multiple areas over many decades. However, even mandatory standards are not easily enforceable in several cases, and often an 'implementation gap' has been reported. The present article explores this critical aspect of regulation-making exercise in India by considering the case of bottled water. The article analyses the regulatory governance of bottled water quality standards promulgated by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The findings could be useful for Indian industry, regulators, science administrators and the government.