Ambala: Due to recent Notification by the government that scientific glasswares manufacturers will have to obtain ISI mark certification by the government with effect from 1st October, 2024, failing which the violators will have to bear heavy penalty. There  are nearly 2500 small scale manufacturing units in ‘Science City’ Ambala Cantt manufacturing glasswares used in educational institutes, industries, hospitals, medical laboratories and even in research institutes. Large number of tiny units in the town are also manufacturing such glassware for supply to large industrial houses manufacturing scientific goods in the town against orders, which are located in thickly populated residential areas, shops, in surrounding rural places and inside the industrial estate.

According to information, such tiny scientific glassware manufacturing units in Ambala Cantt have annual turnover of about 650 crore, providing employment to nearly 3000 persons in the town, will be adversely affected due to this Notification since it will not be possible for such small scale manufacturers to purchase costly testing equipments and meet lengthy formalities and to obtain ISI mark as such most of the units will be compelled to close down their shutters.

According to Kailash Dheer, President of Scientific Apparatus Manufacturers Association Ambala, most of the manufacturers of scientific glasswares in the town are merely small entrepreneurs usually supplying goods to large manufacturers against their orders, unable to get ISI mark certification for five glassware items making nearly 2500 small scale units worst affected, making nearly 3000 persons jobless.