Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025 - Detailed Information

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has made the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025, under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016). Provisions for ensuring the quality of refined zinc imported into, exported from, or sold within India are laid down in the notice issued on April 17, 2025.  The Order will come into force on October 17, 2025, i.e., six months from the publication date.

Overview for BIS QCO for the Refined Zinc

The primary purpose of this order is to give confidence that all goods produced from refined zinc are in terms of the quality standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).  The Indian Standard IS 209, specifying requirements for refined zinc, shall be followed by the products or articles falling under this order. Such products are also required to bear the BIS Standard Mark, which ensures that they have a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards.

The following Indian standard must comply with the QCO's requirements:

BIS Certification for Refined Zinc - IS 209

Compliance Requirements

The following standards of compliance are required by the Refined Zinc Quality Control Order for every person who manufactures, sells, or imports refined zinc:

• IS 209 Refined Zinc Specification is to be complied with by refined zinc.
• Only after getting a BIS license under Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, can all the refined zinc products display the BIS Standard Mark.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards mandates certification by all producers, importers, and dealers who want to market or distribute purified zinc in India.

Exemptions

• The exemptions to the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025, are as follows:
• The order does not apply to goods or commodities that are meant to be exported only, and products using refined zinc that are meant for export are exempted from the stipulations in this order.

Authority for Certification and Enforcement

Refined zinc products shall be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which shall ensure compliance with the guidelines stipulated in this order.  In instances of non-compliance, BIS shall also initiate the relevant enforcement action.  Importers and manufacturers must obtain BIS certification to ensure that their refined zinc products satisfy the prescribed requirements.

Implementation Timeline

On October 17, 2025, the order will come into effect.  At present, to sell deodorised zinc in India, manufacturers, importers, and traders need to ensure that they follow quality control measures and obtain the BIS mark.

Penalties for Failure to Comply

The 2016 Bureau of Indian Standards Act states that noncompliance with the Order of Refined Zinc Quality Control will be penalised.  The objective of the penalty is to achieve higher quality and provide a market with only secure and reliable items.

In short, the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025, calls for quality control of Indian refined zinc to ensure the reliability and safety of these commodities.  Producers, exporters, and wholesalers need to adopt the BIS standards and the BIS certification process so as not to incur penalties and ensure their commodities meet the requirements.