Ambala: In-spite of resistance by large number of micro and small scale laboratory glassware manufacturers in ‘Science City’ Ambala, government has  already approved Notification as regard five glassware items, including measuring cylinder, one mark volumetric flask, narrow maked boiling flask, single value puppets and glass beakers to have compulsory approval by the Indian Standard Institution (ISI) specifications, which cannot be sold without having ISI mark. The Notification is likely to affect small scale laboratory glassware manufacturers in the town compelled to close down their manufacturing units.

According to information, there are nearly 2500 units in Ambala Cantonment manufacturing and supplying laboratory glasswares to educational institutes, engineering colleges as well as to research institutes across the country, most of the tiny units functioning in residential areas or inside the shops in thickly populated areas in the town. The small manufacturers in the town had several meetings with the management of Indian Standard Institute organization seeking exemption in this regard, which brought them no relief, and now have released Notification in the gazette for five types of glasswares to be sold only after obtaining ISI mark.

According to small manufacturers, it will not be possible for the small -scale industry manufacturing laboratory glasswares to fulfill most of the conditions for obtaining ISI specification and maintain a testing laboratory, as such they will be compelled to close down their manufacturing units. Most of the small scale manufacturers are still having hopes that the government will roll back the decision and keep them alive.