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

The Ministry of Mines has put out information on a new regulation. The Government of India has issued the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, through notification number S.O. 4368(E). This regulation amends the implementation date of the Other Refined Zinc BIS QCO, which extends the compliance period to 17th April 2026. This amendment was made as a result of stakeholder consultation and represents a relatively balanced approach to achieving quality while providing sufficient lead time for industry participation.

Legal Authority and Scope of BIS Certification for Refined Zinc Amendment Order

The Central Government has decided, after consulting the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), that it is in the public interest to delay the implementation of mandatory certification. The government issued a gazette notification for the amendment on 25th September, 2025. This amendment has been made in exercise of powers under Sub-section (1) and (2) of Section 16, Section 15, and Sub-section (3) of Section 25 of the Bureau of India Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016).

Details for the Refined Zinc Amendment Order

We will now review the details of the new amendment order of refined zinc IS 209:

1. Title and Commencement
The title of the order shall be the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, which shall come into effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette on 25th September 2025.

2. Revised Date of Implementation

The amendment replaces subparagraph (2) of paragraph 1 of the original order with (2). This Order shall come into effect on 17th May 2026 and extends the date effective from the original date of enforcement on 17th April 2025, published under S.O. 1768(E), by 12 months.

About Refined Zinc and BIS Regulation.

Refined zinc plays a vital role in different industries such as galvanization, automotive, and electronics. It enhances the corrosion resistance and extends the life of steel structures and components, making its quality critically important for infrastructure and safety.

The original Refined Zinc (Quality Control Order), 2025, aims to ensure that all refined zinc manufactured, sold, or imported in India meets the standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The order mandates that only BIS-certified products bearing the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) may be marketed.

This regulation is part of the government’s broader efforts to:

• Promote quality control and standardization,
• Protect end-users from substandard products,
• Strengthen domestic manufacturing under the Make in India initiative, and
• Align Indian products with global market expectations.

Extension: A Strategic Balance Between Compliance and Industry Readiness

The decision to defer the enforcement date reflects a strategic balance between maintaining stringent quality norms and providing operational flexibility to the industry.

This extension allows manufacturers, importers, and distributors more time to:

• Apply for and obtain BIS Certification,
• Upgrade facilities to meet technical and infrastructure requirements,
• Complete necessary testing and compliance documentation, and
• Align supply chains to support standardized production and distribution.

This move is particularly beneficial for MSMEs and mid-sized players who are in the process of adapting to the BIS framework.

Impact on Refined Zinc Manufacturers, Importers, and Industries

For Producers and importers.

The newly established enforcement date, April 17, 2026, will be the last compliance date. After the date, only refined zinc products meeting the new requirements can be manufactured, stored, imported, or sold.

For the industry.

Promotes higher-quality standards across industry groups. Provides a higher level of confidence in Indian inventories both in India and internationally.

For Regulators

It allows BIS and other agencies more time to establish a system of inspections, licenses, and monitoring.

Conclusion

The Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Amendment Order 2025 demonstrates the Ministry of Mines’ responsiveness to industry opportunity and the importance of product quality. The extension of the implementation period fosters greater regulatory compliance, reduces the likelihood of disruption, and enables the industry to transition smoothly.
All industry actors are encouraged to take full advantage of this extended timeline to prepare for compliance with the Order and avoid regulatory and commercial complications after April 17, 2026.