NEW DELHI, Jan. 28 -- In a move aimed at improving the quality of construction insulation material and packaging for processed liquid food and beverages, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has amended two norms covering bonded mineral wool and paper-based multilayer cartons. The revised standards will come into effect after a six-month transition period to allow the industry to comply with them, as per a government order reviewed by Mint. The BIS periodically updates material specifications in sectors linked to construction safety and food processing to align domestic norms with evolving safety, performance and quality requirements amid the growing use of insulation material in construction and the increasing reliance on aseptic and non-aseptic packaging in the food and beverages industry. In recent months, the BIS has stepped up the revision of standards in sectors with direct consumer interface or infrastructure relevance, often as a step towards tighter regulatory oversight. As of now, over 100 such standards have been updated. Aseptic packaging keeps food sterile by filling it into pre-sterilized containers, extending shelf life without refrigeration, while non-aseptic packaging requires preservatives or cold storage. As per the order, BIS has issued Amendment No. 1 to IS 8183:2024, which lays down the new requirements for bonded mineral wool used in thermal and acoustic insulation. "The amended standard will come into force after July 2026, replacing the existing version, though it will become mandatory only if notified separately through a quality control order," a senior government official clarified. As per practice, during the transition period, manufacturers align their products and testing processes with the revised norms. The move is expected to affect mineral wool manufacturers supplying the construction, industrial and infrastructure sectors....