In a competitive market, testing of any manufactured product is essentially aimed at determining whether it conforms to the expected quality standard, while manufacturers may have their own quality control systems, there are possibilities of varying standards of quality prevailing in the industry which may lead to confusion particularly in India, where the concept of market economy is gradually taking roots, and the consumers are still not sure about quality standards of the goods and services.

Manufacturers, who have for long thrived on gimmicks, lack of safety precautions and sub-standard products, are in for trouble, thanks to the introduction of comparative testing in India. It means the testing of branded consumer goods and services to provide consumers with unbiased information on the characteristics of these products, which enable a consumer to make a rational choice.

Comparative Testing (CT) means the subjecting of different products offered for the same purpose, the results of which tests provide consumers with unbiased information on the characteristics of these products. Choice of products for CT by an organisation depends upon their nationwide availability, market share and price range.