Decoding India's Quality Control Orders: Strengthening Product Standards and Industry Practices

India's Quality Control Orders (QCOs) represent a critical instrument for enforcing quality standards across a wide range of products in the country. Issued and overseen by various government ministries and enforced by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), these orders mandate compulsory certification and compliance with relevant Indian Standards for products manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

Since 2019, there has been a remarkable escalation in the number of QCOs, growing more than eightfold to 765 by 2024. This expansion mirrors government efforts to bolster product safety, protect consumer interests, and promote self-reliance in manufacturing. QCOs encompass diverse sectors, particularly focusing on intermediate and capital goods integral to domestic supply chains—such as chemicals, polymers, textile materials, and construction-related products.

However, to ease regulatory burdens and promote industrial liberalization, the government recently withdrew 14 QCOs related to key chemical and polymer sectors. This strategic move aims to eliminate redundant compliance barriers, streamline certification procedures, and enhance sectoral competitiveness while maintaining product quality via voluntary adherence to international standards.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE), aligned with these regulatory frameworks, issued circulars to market participants regarding the implementation and compliance with QCOs, emphasizing systematic audits and adherence to mandated lot sizes and product codes to ensure smooth trading and regulatory compliance.

Key Highlights:

- QCOs have expanded sharply from 88 in 2019 to 765 by 2024, reflecting increased regulatory oversight on product quality.

- BIS enforces mandatory certification under QCOs to guarantee safety, reliability, and adherence to Indian Standards.

- The majority of QCOs target intermediate and capital goods, crucial to India’s manufacturing supply chains.

- Government withdrew 14 QCOs in November 2025 to simplify compliance in chemicals and polymer sectors, supporting ease of business.

- NSE has circulated detailed guidelines for trading members to comply with required certifications, lot sizes, and system audits.

- QCO enforcement supports national goals of product safety, consumer protection, import regulation, and domestic industry development.

This evolving landscape of Quality Control Orders highlights India’s dual approach—tightening quality standards while selectively relaxing regulations to balance growth and competitiveness.

Sources: National Stock Exchange (NSE) Circulars, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Ministry of Mines, Government of India