Flux Cored Solder Wire Quality Control Order Withdrawn 2026 - Detailed Information

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has formally revoked the Flux Cored Solder Wire (Quality Control) Order, 2023. The notification of this significant regulatory change on 12th January 2026 and publication in the Official Gazette of India meant huge relief for the manufacturers, importers, and traders working with flux-cored solder wire products.

The ministry took this decision as per the provisions of Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, after having discussions with BIS and also considering the public and industry interests.

Government Notification on Withdrawal of the QCO

According to the recent notification S.O.165(E) on 12th January 12, 2026, the Central Government has rescinded the Flux Cored Solder Wire Quality Control Order, 2023. This means that the order will no longer be in force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Government clarifies that the Withdrawal is made for the following reasons:

• In the public interest
• After consultation with BIS
• Using statutory powers under the BIS Act, 2016

History of Flux Cored Solder Wire Quality Control Order, 2023

The Flux Cored Solder Wire (Quality Control Order) 2023 was issued on 18th September 2023 to provide safety, quality, and reliability to consumers. The Order mandates that all flux-cored solder wire products must obtain BIS Certification India before they can be manufactured, sold, or distributed in India. The primary objective of the QCO was to ensure product safety and standardisation in the solder wire industry. 
A few guidelines under the order were:

• Products must adhere to the Indian Standards (IS) set by BIS. 
• Manufacturers are required to obtain a BIS license. 
• Selling non-certified products in the Indian market is prohibited

What Does the Withdrawal Mean for Manufacturers and Importers?

With the rescission of the Quality Control Order, the mandatory BIS Certification for Flux Cored Solder Wire is no longer required. This change reduces testing cost, compliance burden, and certification timelines, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. This directly impacts:

• Manufacturers don’t need to apply for or maintain BIS Licenses for the product 
• Importers can get Import clearance without mandatory BIS compliance 
• Traders and Distributors have the freedom to sell without BIS-marked products

Validity of Past Actions and Compliance

The notification has it as the prime feature that any actions taken or omitted before the withdrawal date would still be considered as valid. In short, this means:

• Dismissing past BIS certifications, inspections, or enforcement actions is not the case
• No compliance that was pointed out before the rescission will be cancelled
• The old order procedures that were ongoing or completed are not treated retrospectively
• The withdrawal concerns the future, not the past.

Effective Date of the Withdrawal

The revocation of the Flux Cored Solder Wire Quality Control Order was in effect as of the date of its notice in the Official Gazette of India, which is 12 January 2026, and thus it was done with immediate effect. Starting from that day, the businesses will not be required to get BIS certification for their flux-cored solder wire products anymore.

Impact on the Indian Solder Wire Industry

The aforementioned regulatory update is likely to:

• Make it easier for local and foreign producers to enter the market
• Cut down on operational and compliance costs
• Increase the efficiency of the supply chain
• Develop a situation in the solder wire market where competition is fair
• Nevertheless, the businesses would still be encouraged to maintain quality standards voluntarily to assure product reliability and customer trust.

Conclusion

The Flux Cored Solder Wire (Quality Control) Order, 2023 withdrawal is a significant regulatory change in the solder wire sector in India. The government has also done away with the mandatory BIS certification requirement, thereby minimising the compliance burden for manufacturers, importers, and traders, and at the same time making business operations easier.

Though the BIS Certification for Flux Cored Solder Wire is no longer a requirement, the companies will need to keep abreast of the new regulatory developments. After all, the Quality Control Orders may be altered or brought back into force depending on the policy and the market demand. Besides, the companies should constantly practice the best manufacturing techniques and meet the voluntary quality standards so as to secure product reliability and customer trust.