Ministry of Steel Announces Major Suspension of QCO Deadlines for Key Steel Standards

The Ministry of Steel has made an important regulatory announcement which indirectly affects the steel industry, as well as steel processing and importing in India. The Central Government has issued the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, by formal notification, thereby offering temporary relief and a delay in compliance with certain steel standards. 

This order has been made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 16 read with section 17 and sub-section (3) of section 25 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.  

Why This Amendment Matters

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order 2024 mandated BIS certification for several steel products. The purpose of this was to increase quality, safety and consumer protection; however, several sectors of industry raised concerns about a few main areas of focus:

• Readiness of testing facilities
• Cost of compliance
• Limited number of BIS-recognised labs
• Need more of a transition period for manufacturers to upgrade processes to obtain BIS certifications
• Impact on industries reliant on imported steel

In light of these issues, the Ministry of Steel has offered time for the industry to facilitate adaptation by deferring the enforcement of many standards for a duration of 1 year and a duration of 3 years, depending on the standard's classification and scope.

Key Amendments to Schedule 1 of the 2024 QCO

The amendment classifies standards into two groups:

• Those that will not be enforced for three years
• Those that will not be enforced for one year

This relaxation effectively postpones mandatory BIS certification for multiple product categories.

Standards Suspended for 3 Years

The following standards will not be operative for 3 years from the Gazette publication date:

IS 5872, IS 3975, IS 6527, IS 4409, IS 1812, IS 2507, IS 3885 (Part 1), IS 3885 (Part 2), IS 4223, IS 4224, IS 4397, IS 6902, IS 7226, IS 7557, IS 8052, IS 9962, IS 14331, IS 4882, IS 10632 (Part 2), IS 10632 (Part 3), IS 11169 (Part 2), IS 5651, IS 9516, IS 12045, IS 11946, IS 11947, IS 963, IS 4454 (Part 4), IS 2589, IS 3298, IS 4072, IS 8510 (Part II), IS 8510 (Part III), IS 8563, IS 8564, IS 8565, IS 8566, IS 9485, IS 10794, IS 12262, IS 1469, IS 1466

By granting a 3-year timeline, the GOVERNMENT has enabled manufacturers to slowly align their processes with BIS requirements without disrupting production or supply chains.

Standards Suspended for 1 Year

The enforcement of the following standards will not be operative for 1 year:

IS 6528, IS 6603, IS 3748, IS 16585, IS 9476, IS 6529, IS 9294, IS 10631, IS 14652, IS 4432, IS 13387, IS 3930, IS 13352

The shorter deferment indicates that the industry is relatively more prepared for these categories but still needs time for operational adjustments.

Industry Implications and Benefits

This amendment is expected to bring about many positive results, both in the domestic and internationally here:

• Less Immediate Compliance Stress for Manufacturers: Manufacturers now have time to upgrade their processes and systems to a BIS-compliant standard, and then procure BIS certifications.
• Easier Import Procedures: Importers with respect to the steel standards with deferred enforcement should have less difficulty obtaining clearances in India.
• Relaxation for MSMEs: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) dealing with steel and steel products often are cash-strapped or lack sufficient financial, skill, and operational resources; this amendment now affords them time to stabilise their operations before having to deal with BIS mandatory compliance.
• Improved Readiness from BIS for Testing & Certification: This amendment provides BIS additional time to increase the available recognised labs, testing capacity, and training assistance.
• Continuity of Supply Chains: Sectors reliant upon specialised steel products (e.g., automotive, rail, engineering, power, and construction) will be able to continue to operate without disruption to production. 

Conclusion

Ministry of Steel has adopted a pragmatic approach with the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025 - protecting product quality and the economic competitiveness of industries economic competitiveness and freedom from onerous regulations. By expanding the implementation timelines for many standards, the government has addressed industry needs and facilitated a business-friendly shift and pressure to comply with regulations.

The Amendment demonstrates the government's commitment to the industry, the ease of doing business, and high-quality steel products to the Indian market.