Quality Control Orders: India’s Secret Weapon for Manufacturing Dominance

The Indian government’s push for Quality Control Orders (QCOs) has significantly boosted the global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that QCOs have not only enhanced product quality but also expanded market access for Indian businesses.

 

At a recent Stakeholder Meet convened by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), industry leaders acknowledged the benefits of QCOs but raised concerns regarding implementation challenges. The Horizontal QCO on Electrical Appliances, notified on September 20, 2024, was a key focus, with stakeholders highlighting issues such as:

 

- Ambiguity in coverage of DC-supplied and battery-operated appliances

- Limited availability of testing labs for all 85 appliance categories

- Insufficient time for obtaining BIS certification for domestic and foreign manufacturers

- Challenges with legacy stock and e-commerce restrictions on non-BIS-marked products

In response, Minister Goyal assured industry representatives that the government is open to extending the implementation timeline and addressing concerns regarding legacy stock. He urged stakeholders to propose modern testing facilities in public-funded labs, PSUs, and state institutions to ensure a robust nationwide infrastructure.

The DPIIT is actively working with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to streamline the testing and certification ecosystem, making it more accessible, efficient, and affordable, particularly for MSMEs.

 

Source: Tribune India, Deccan Chronicle