BIS QCO Compliance Exemption for Stainless Steel Flat (Semi-Finished) Products

The Ministry of Steel, Government of India, issued an order dated 28 October 2026 exempting stainless steel flat (semi-finished) products conforming to IS 14650:2023 from QCO compliance. The annexure lists 162 grades and maps them to IS 6911, IS 15997, and IS 5522. This exemption shall be applicable till 31st March 2027. Importers, MSME fabricators and manufacturers should match their grade against the annexure before shipping. 

This classification helps businesses identify which stainless steel grades the government annexures cover and the corresponding Indian Standards. Understanding QCO exemptions under IS 14650, BIS QCO requirements for stainless steel, and the applicable product standard will help importers and manufacturers review their compliance responsibilities in India.

What Is the QCO Exemption for Stainless Steel Semi-Finished Products?

A Quality Control Order (QCO) requires products to have a valid BIS licence and the Standard Mark. This order temporarily relaxes the requirement for listed semi-finished stainless steel flat products. These are intermediate products that feed into finished sheets, strips, and utensils.

Which Stainless Steel Grades Are Exempt? (162-Grade Breakdown)

• IS 6911 (153 grades). Examples from the annexure include 405, 409, 410, 430 (ferritic and martensitic), 201, 202, 302, 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 347 (austenitic) and 2205 (duplex). This is not the full list, so refer to the original order for every designation.
• IS 15997 (6 low-nickel grades). N1, N2, N3, N5, N6 and N7 (serial 154-159). N4 is not in this list.
• IS 5522 (3 grades). 304, 302 and 430 (serial 160-162).

Understanding 14650 and Corresponding Product Standards (CPS)

The Indian Standard IS 14650 is the primary standard in the government annexure. It correlates stainless steel grade entries with the corresponding product standards.

For steel importers and producers, determining the exact grade and standard is crucial for complying with product regulations. The grade helps businesses match their products to the applicable standard specified in the government order.

CPS stands for Corresponding Product Standards. While going through the annexure, businesses must consider the following things:

• Whether their product grade appears in the annexure.
• Which of the corresponding product standards has been specified against the grade.
• Whether the description and specifications of their product correlate with the entry.
• Whether the relevant government order applies to their product and transaction.

How Does This Differ from the 27 April 2026 Order?

Who Benefits from the BIS Suspension, and What Happens After 31 March 2027?

The suspension benefits importers, dealers, MSME fabricators, kitchenware and utensil makers, re-rollers, and processors who depend on importing intermediate stainless steel. This is because if the suspension expires on 31 March 2027 without government renewal, BIS licensing and Standard Mark conditions will come into effect again.

What Does the Listed Grade Classification Mean for Importers and Manufacturers?

Grade classification guides businesses dealing in stainless steel flat/semi-finished products covered under the document. The list helps them locate the grade classifications in IS 14650 and the associated product standards in the annexure.

Importers and manufacturers may utilise the list during their initial compliance evaluation process through the following process:

• Identify the product grade: Identify the grade designation from the product specification and technical documentation.
• Locate the grade from the annexure: Verify whether the designated grade is listed in the government list.
• Verify the associated product standard: Check whether the entry has been mapped to IS 6911, IS 15997, or IS 5522.
• Review the main government order: Check the scope of exemptions, conditions, effective date, and exemption period.
• Check other applicable requirements: Review other import and BIS compliance requirements before relying on any exemption.

This will help them organise their compliance evaluation and identify relevant entries in the government document.

Conclusion

The government annexure lists 162 grades of stainless steel flat products according to IS 14650:2023. The grades listed above correspond to three product standards: IS 6911 (153 grades), IS 15997 (six grades), and IS 5522 (three grades).

When importing and manufacturing steel in India, understanding the classification helps identify the right grade and product standard. However, check the classification against the full government notification to determine whether the exemption from QCO applies. Before importing or supplying stainless steel products in India, companies should check the product's grade and standard.

Need help with BIS or QCO compliance? Speak to our ERCS Consultant Agents.

Priya Kumari

Content Writer

She is a Content Writer at ERCS Pvt. Ltd., specialising in developing clear, structured, and impactful content that aligns with business objectives. In her current role, she contributes to creating co...