Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has unveiled IS 19445:2025 – Bomb Disposal Systems — Performance Evaluation and Requirements, a new Indian standard aimed at enhancing safety and standardization in bomb disposal operations. The formulation of this standard was initiated following requests from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the DRDO’s Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL) due to the increasing use of bomb disposal systems across security and civilian agencies without a dedicated Indian standard.
Bomb disposal systems like bomb blankets, bomb baskets, and bomb inhibitors are widely used to counter explosive threats. Although these systems are manufactured by various entities in India, their safe and effective deployment necessitates rigorous and standardized performance evaluation. IS 19445:2025 offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating these systems, focusing on blast loads and splinter effects, and specifying requirements for test equipment, range conditions, and evaluation procedures to assess system performance objectively.
The standard not only defines test methodologies, apparatus, test specimens, and acceptance criteria but also acts as a reference for test sponsors, manufacturers, and accredited testing agencies. It aims to bring uniformity in testing, certification, and procurement practices, benefiting stakeholders involved in bomb disposal systems.
IS 19445:2025 was developed through a consensus-based process under the Arms and Ammunition for Civilian Use Sectional Committee (PGD 28), with the active involvement of various defense and internal security agencies. The standard reflects operational realities, safety considerations, and field-level requirements for personnel engaged in bomb detection and disposal, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness.
Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare, emphasized that IS 19445:2025 is designed for voluntary adoption by procurement agencies, manufacturers, and testing bodies to promote quality-driven manufacturing and enhance confidence in bomb disposal systems used in critical security operations. This release underscores the Bureau of Indian Standards’ commitment to advancing national priorities through timely and relevant standardization, contributing to public safety, national security, and technological self-reliance.
