The MoD has formulated the "Self-Certification Scheme" for DPSUs and private industry to allow ease of business with the aim of "Make in India". DPSUs and industry are encouraged to take responsibility of quality standards and improve and maintain quality of [heir products via this scheme.

Until now, DGQA issued quality assurance (QA) to vendors. With the introduction of this scheme, a mechanism has been created for awarding "self-certification status" to vendors who have state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure and demonstrated capability to consistently fulfil the stipulated requirements. The scheme provides eligibility criteria for grant of self-certification status, assessment, validity, revocation/ renewal of the status and acceptance of self-certified stores. It provides requirements, criteria and assessment procedure for self-certification, its validity and withdrawal, and executiveinstructions for acceptance of stores under the scheme.

This status is honoured by all procurement agencies under MoD. The objective is to integrate quality throughout the manufacturing process and, hence, ensure better reliability of the end product.

The vendor's processes should be stable with process capability index (Cpk) greater than 1.33. DPSUs and private industry should have anestablished quality management system (QMS) in place as per the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and its revisions. The test labs of the of the vendors should have quality systems in conformity with ISO/ IEC 17025 and preferably be NABL accredited. The self-certification status is valid for three years.