The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has implemented a new regulation, the Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products (Quality Control) Order, 2026, under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act of 2016. This legislation will apply only to specific aluminium and aluminium alloys sold in India.
Manufacturers and importers who sell these types of products must adhere to Indian quality standards, and they will have to have their product certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards by attaching a BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) before selling them in India. The purpose of this new legislation is to ensure that aluminium and aluminium alloys are safe, reliable, and of good quality.
Overview of Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products (Quality Control) Order?
The purpose of the Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products (Quality Control) Order is to maintain the quality and safety of aluminium products in India. All aluminium and aluminium alloy products must include the ISI Mark before importing or selling in the Indian market. The following table lists aluminium products subject to the provisions of the Quality Control Order, 2026, along with the applicable Indian Standards.
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S. No. |
Indian Standard |
Title of Indian Standard |
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1 |
Aluminium alloy tubes for irrigation purposes – Welded tubes |
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2 |
Aluminium alloy tubes for irrigation purposes – Extruded tube |
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3 |
EC Grade Aluminium Rod produced by Continuous Casting and Rolling |
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4 |
Aluminium and aluminium alloy foil for pharmaceutical packaging |
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5 |
Aluminium Composite Panel |
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6 |
Corrugated Aluminium Sheet |
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7 |
Aluminium alloy forging stock and forgings (Alloy 24345) for aerospace applications |
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8 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy bars, rods, and sections (for general engineering purposes) |
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9 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys forging stock and forgings for general engineering purposes |
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10 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy plate for general engineering purposes |
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11 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy sheet and strip for general engineering purposes |
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12 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy wire for general engineering purposes |
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13 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy rivet stock for general engineering purposes |
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14 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy extruded round tubes and hollow sections for general engineering purposes |
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15 |
Wrought Aluminium Wire for Electrical Purposes |
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16 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys for the manufacture of utensils |
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17 |
Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy bars, rods, tubes, sections, plates, and sheets for electrical applications |
When will the QCO Order come into Effect?
The implementation dates are as follows:
- General Enterprises: For goods specified at serial numbers 1 to 7, the order shall come into effect immediately. For goods specified at serial numbers 8 to 17, the implementation date shall be 01 December 2026.
- Small Enterprises: For goods specified at serial numbers 1 to 7, the order shall come into effect immediately, while for goods specified at serial numbers 8 to 17, the implementation date shall be 01 March 2027.
- Micro Enterprises: For goods specified at serial numbers 1 to 7, the order shall come into effect immediately, while for goods specified at serial numbers 8 to 17, the implementation date shall be 01 June 2027.
What do manufacturers need to do?
All aluminium manufacturers wishing to sell their products in India must complete the following requirements under "Scheme 1" of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018 and for approval of BIS certification:
- Manufacturers must follow the IS standards provided in the Order.
- Manufacturers will also need to be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
- All manufacturers must display the ISI Mark Certification on products to show compliance.
Products manufactured only for export
If the aluminium products are produced in India solely for the purpose of exporting, the manufacturer does not have to get a BIS certification. Therefore, exporters will be allowed to continue making products for worldwide markets without the requirement of establishing a BIS certification, as mandated by existing regulations.
a). Special relaxation for MSMEs
- The order also provides extra time for small businesses to meet the compliance requirements detailed in the order.
- Full compliance will be required as soon as large businesses are required to comply based on the effective date of each regulation noted in the order.
- Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs) will be permitted a subsequent compliance deadline.
- The opportunity for MSMEs will allow them to transition to the new compliance requirements without immediate pressure.
b). Exception for research and development (R&D)
Manufacturers can import aluminium products without BIS certification if they are for use in research and development purposes. Manufacturers can import 200 kg of aluminium products each year for R&D. Some conditions apply to this import. The products must not be sold commercially in the marketplace. All products must be scrapped after pregnancy or after manufacturing. Manufacturers must maintain proper documentation to the extent of being required to provide the documentation to the Government when required.
Who will issue and monitor the certification?
BIS will issue certification and enforcement. BIS will do the following:
- BIS will do the licensing of certification
- Enforce or ensure manufacturers comply with the standard
- It will take action against the manufacturers who failed to comply with BIS.
- What happens if someone violates the order?
- Under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, non-compliance with this order can result in penalties to the manufacturer or importer, including possible fines or other forms of legal action as required by law.
Conclusion
Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys Products (Quality Control) Order, 2026 is designed to achieve high-quality standards for all Aluminum products sold in India. As a means of regulating product quality and increasing consumer confidence by having appropriate certification through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Order will also promote uniformity through the use of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) Mark.