The Government of India updates the quality control regulations to ensure product safety while promoting ease of doing business. Due to this, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an important amendment to the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control Order), 2023. This update brings relief to certain manufacturers and importers by removing one product standard from mandatory BIS Certification in India.
This amendment brings a significant change to the existing Electrical Accessories (Quality Control Order) 2023, by removing one Indian Standard from the list of mandatory BIS certification requirements. This update is especially relevant for manufacturers, importers, and traders dealing in electrical insulating materials.
Overview of the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026
On 13th January 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, on the powers conferred by Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016. The amendment shall come into effect immediately from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. In this recent update, the Indian Standard IS 7809 (Part 3/Sec 1): 1986 was deleted from the list.
What Has Changed in the Electrical Accessories Amendment Order?
The amendment introduces a targeted change in relation to existing provisions in The Quality Control Order as follows:
- One standard that has been removed from the mandatory compliance is IS 7809 (Part 3/Sec 1): 1986 of India.
- This standard applies to pressure-sensitive adhesive insulating tapes used in electrical work, namely, plasticized PVC tapes filled with non-thermosetting adhesive.
- Consequently, articles that fall within the scope of the said standard are not required to obtain BIS certification on the basis ofthe Electrical Accessories QCO.
Meaning of IS 7809 (Part 3/Sec 1): 1986 Removal
Earlier, when these specific insulating tapes were manufactured or imported, the manufacturers as well as importers were required to conform to the BIS Certification India provided by the "Quality Control Order." With the withdrawal of this specification:
- Now, BIS Certification in India has been made voluntary for such items under this QCO
- For such tapes, there are no licensing obligations within BIS regarding the companies that manufacture or import such tapes
- The cost of compliance and the time required for approval are greatly reduced
Withdrawal QCO Impact on Manufacturers and Importers
However, it has to be noted by businesses that although certification from BIS under Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Amendment Order, other applicable laws might still apply. This is useful to organisations that operate within the electrical accessories industry:
- Relaxation of regulation for manufacturers of PVC insulating tapes
- Lower compliance costs and reduced documentation
- Enter markets more quickly for importers
- Reduced bureaucracy
- Regulatory simplicity
Why the Government Issued Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Amendment Order
The Central Government, upon consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), felt that it was not necessary in the public interest to continue mandatory certification for this particular product. These changes are to:
- Promote ease of doing business
- Reduce Duplicates in the Compliance Burden
- Targeting regulatory scrutiny at higher-risk products
- Effective Date of the Amendment
- The Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 has come into force as from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, that is, 13th January 2026.
Conclusion
The Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, is a step in the right direction regarding balanced regulations. A significant ease has been offered to the producers and importers of the pressure-sensitive PVC insulating tapes through the exemption of IS 7809 part-3 from the mandatory BIS certification. Organizations need to verify their product lines and remain updated about any modifications in the regulations.