Complete List of QCOs Withdrawn by the Central Government

The Government of India has cancelled a number of Quality Control Orders (QCO) for chemicals, polymer, fibres, metals and non-ferrous material. This will be a huge relief to the industries dependent on imported raw materials and intermediates by providing an ease of compliance while reducing the impact on production due to disruption caused by QCOs.

By rescinding the QCOs, manufacturers, importers and traders will no longer be compelled to obtain BIS Certification or conform to ISI marking that was mandatory for the listed products (unless the Bureau provides another notice to this effect in the future), thus enabling BIS to become more efficient at streamlining supply chains and at making it easier for manufacturers to conduct business. In addition, BIS would like to continue to support those manufacturers who are dependent on global sourcing.

In addition to easing the burden on compliance, this action is a part of larger government initiatives to support the continued development and integration of global sourcing of raw materials and promote more efficient supply chain operations among multiple industry sectors within India.  

Complete List of Indian Standards (IS) Whose QCOs Have Been Withdrawn

By removing the QCOs, it allows many businesses more options when sourcing raw materials from suppliers across the globe without having to deal with issues related to delays in obtaining BIS Certification or issues related to compliance. Here is a detailed listing of all Indian Standards (IS) that have had their QCOs removed.

Chemicals and Industrial Raw Materials

• IS 695 – Acetic Acid
• IS 2833 – Aniline
• IS 517 – Methanol
• IS 8058 – Pyridine
• IS 16112 – Beta Picoline
• IS 6100 – Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Anhydrous, Technical
• IS 5295 – Ethylene Glycol
• IS 15030 – Terephthalic Acid
• IS 4105 – Styrene (Vinyl Benzene)
• IS 5149 – Maleic Anhydride, Technical
• IS 12540 – Acrylonitrile

Fibres and Textile Raw Materials

• IS 17265 – 100% Polyester Spun Grey & White Yarn (PSY)
• IS 17261 – Polyester Continuous Filament Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY)
• IS 17264 – Polyester Industrial Yarn (IDY)
• IS 17262 – Polyester Partially Oriented Yarn (POY)
• IS 17263 – Polyester Staple Fibres (PSF)
• IS 17266 – Viscose Staple Fibres

Polymers & Plastics

• IS 7328 – Polyethene Material for Moulding & Extrusion
• IS 13601 – Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymers
• IS 17077 – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• IS 14434 – Polycarbonate
• IS 17397 (Part 1) – Polyurethanes
• IS 17658 – PVC Homopolymers
• IS 10951 – Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding & Extrusion

Fatty Acids & Oils

• IS 10931 – Lauric Acid
• IS 12029 – Acid Oil
• IS 12067 – Palm Fatty Acids
• IS 12068 – Rice Bran Fatty Acids
• IS 12069 – Coconut Fatty Acids
• IS 12361 – Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids

Metals & Alloys

• IS 617 – Cast Aluminium & Alloys
• IS 11890 – High-Purity Primary Aluminium Ingot
• IS 6754 – Aluminium Alloy Ingots for Remelting
• IS 2590 – Primary Aluminium Ingots for Remelting
• IS 4026 – Aluminium Ingots, Billets & Wire Bars (EC Grade)
• IS 191 – Copper
• IS 7506 – Nickel Powder

Dyes & Chemical Intermediates

• IS 8637 – H Acid
• IS 11557 – K Acid
• IS 18340 – Vinyl Sulphone

Non-Ferrous Refined Metals

• IS 2782 – Refined Nickel
• IS 27 – Primary Lead
• IS 209 – Refined Zinc
• IS 26 – Tin Ingot

Why Did Government Withdraw These QCOs?

The decision to withdraw, as it stands now, seems to have been made as a result to the Government taking into account: 

• Industry input/supply Chain Constraints: Multiple industries have indicated a difficult time obtaining BIS certified products from around the world.
• Limited Global BIS Testing Infrastructure: A number of international providers lack proper test facilities or the ability to receive BIS certification.
• Production Slowdown Risk: Several types of manufacturing will close if new BIS certifications were required.
• Facilitation of Government’s “Ease of Doing Business” Initiative: Simplifying import tax requirements is an integral component of developing both national and international investment and growth.
• Balancing Quality and Market Reality: The relationship between quality and supply may be different than traditional concepts but if there are too many regulatory limitations on imports, it will put the sustaining of companies who are dependent on imports in jeopardy.

What Manufacturers and Importers Should Do Now?

While the withdrawal of QCOs creates some relief for businesses, they should not consider themselves free from any longer having compliance responsibility. Rather than viewing the withdrawal of QCOs as an end of their compliance responsibility, they should use it as an opportunity to be prepared for other regulatory changes and/or reintroduction of standards that may occur in the future due to continued evolution of both customer and industry partners quality expectations. 

• Be mindful of future notification from BIS: The Indian regulatory structure will continue to evolve, therefore QCOs may be updated, reintroduced or replaced by new regulation depending on the need of the specific industry;
• Continue to perform voluntary quality assessments: While product certification is not currently required by regulation, product quality will continue to be a high priority for those industries engaged in exporting or supplying products to industries regulated by the government;
• Strengthen supplier verification: While sourcing products after the removal of mandatory BIS certification may exist, there exists the potential for increased risk should the quality of the products differ from the suppliers sellers expectation.
• Maintain quality documentation for both traceability and safety: Although no longer required by BIS, documentation will continue to be a critical part of auditing, product liability, and internal product quality control.

Conclusion

The withdrawn of these QCOs via the Central Government is an essential shift within the framework of the Bureau's strategy to support industry through increased efficiency, enhanced competitiveness, and providing uninterrupted supply of critical raw materials. This will provide immediate relief and ongoing operational advantages to many sectors of manufacturing, including textiles and chemicals, metals and plastics. To know more updates of BIS connect with ERCS Private Limited.