MDA Scheme to SSI / tiny sector units for bar-coding

The Small Scale Industries (SSI) sector has emerged as a dynamic and vibrant sector of the Indian economy. Its contribution to industrial production, export and employment generation has been very significant over the years. The pace of economic liberation and market reforms has however thrown up various challenges for this sector and they are now getting increasingly exposes to global competition.

Adoption of IT tools which can enhance the efficiency / productivity, market acceptability and cost effectiveness of SSI companies is a business imperative today. This is even more so for SSI units, which have resource constraints but need to compete for domestic and global business opportunities with larger companies.

Bar-coding using International Numbering standards represent a small but significant step in reaching some of these stated objectives through increased efficiency of supply chains, elimination of wastages, reduction in logistics / inventory management costs, facilitating E-commerce over B2B exchange, product track & trace etc. They are extensively used for past 25 years worldwide and are being used increasingly in India as well across industry sectors.

Used as an IT tool, bar-coding facilitates automatic data capture as opposed to manual recording or keying in information through computers. They enable 100% accuracy of data capture at high speeds and can be integrated directly into in-house software applications. When used in conjunction with the EAN identification system, barcodes, enable easy, unique and universal identification of products in the total supply chain, right from the point of production to the point of sale / consumption.

EAN standards are the de-facto global standards for identification of products at retail outlets worldwide. These standards are used by more than 900,000 companies in 24 different industry sectors. The Electronic Commerce / Electronic Data Interchange Council of India, under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has endorsed EAN standards as the national standards for bar-coding and EDI.

Additional benefits to SSI / Tiny sector units

One of the services available to global buyers / sellers / logistic providers etc. to source for business contacts is through use of International Numbering used in barcoding. SSI / Tiny sector companies opting for this facility stand to expand their market exposure globally by hosting their company / product information on the GEPIR (Global EAN.UCC Party Information Register) service of EAN International.

Financial Assistance for use of International Numbering Standards notified by Ministry of Small Scale Industries, Government of India.

Due to the above mentioned applications and benefits of International Numbering Standards (EAN, UCC), the Office of the Development Commissioner (SSI), Ministry of Small Scale Industries, Government of India, has notified a financial assistance scheme for registered Small Scale Industries for adoption of International Numbering Standards in barcoding and E-commerce applications w.e.f. Jan 1, 2002.

As per the scheme, SSI/ tiny sector units shall be reimbursed 75% of the one time registration fee payable to EAN for allocation of the unique EAN/UPC company prefix, which is used in barcoding and E-commerce applications 

Continuation of MDA scheme during the year 2003

The Council is pleased to inform that the Office of the Development Commissioner (SSI), Ministry of Small Scale Industries, Government of India, continued the MDA financial assistance scheme to the registered Small Scale and Tiny Sector industries for adoption of EAN standards in bar-coding. All the categories of SSI units who have adopted Bar-code on or after Jan 1, 2003 are now eligible to get the financial assistance of Rs.15,000/- (75% of the registration fee of Rs.20,000/- paid to EAN-India). Those units who have adopted bar code before Jan 1, 2003 will continue to be reimbursed the old registration fee as was applicable to SSI/Tiny units earlier.

It may be mentioned here that more than 300 progressive SSI / tiny sector units across the country have already availed of the MDA scheme.

Since this MDA scheme is available on a first come first serve basis till the apportioned funds are exhausted, we request the members to avail of this opportunity at the earliest. The details of the MDA scheme alongwith the relevant reimbursement claim forms are available at EAN India’s website http://www.eanindia.com/UTLTY/ssischeme1.doc 

Bar-coding following EAN standards will help manufacturers and exporters comply with prevalent national and international best practices and experience its many benefits in in-house applications connected with stock management, goods track & track & trace and effecting correct dispatches besides enabling compliance with the National IT Task Force mandate on bar-coding which provided a five year time span ending in 2003.

Use of EAN numbering would also entitle you to host company / product information on EAN International’s GEPIR service which links 900,000 EAN member companies across 24 industry sectors worldwide which are searched for using EAN numbers. This service is available for global buyers / sellers and affords a powerful global International exposure opportunity to exporters.

For further information, Please contact EAN India (under Ministry of Commerce), which has been set up to disseminate awareness on International standards used for product / consignment identification. 

EAN India can be contacted at 
502-503, Arunachal Building, 
19, Barakhamba Road, 
New Delhi 110 001 
Email: saurabh@eanindia.com 
website: www.eanindia.com  
Tel: 011-23713112/23713117/23719638
Fax: 011-237195626.