Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 - Detailed Information

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order 2026, an important amendment order, has been issued by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, under S.O. 3300 (E), the BIS Act, 2016. It temporarily relieves steel manufacturers of the obligation to obtain BIS Certification to demonstrate that their products are safe and dependable. This is only a temporary measure, but a very significant one for the steel sector. The government has tried to ensure the safety and reliability of the steel products.

This Amendment has been introduced to make changes in the original order, (Quality Control) Order, 2024. This new provision ensures that the interests of both the steel industry and the public are protected.

What is the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026?

The Government of India introduced Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to ensure that products sold in the Indian market meet safety and quality standards. Under this amendment, the government has extended the timeline for enforcement of BIS standards for specific steel products listed in the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The amendment became effective immediately from the date published in the Official Gazette, i.e., dated 20 June 2026.

Key Changes Under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026

The enforcement of the applicable Indian Standards (IS) and related requirements for products listed under serial numbers 23 and 129 in Schedule I has been deferred for three years from the date of publication of the amendment order. This means manufacturers and importers dealing with these products are not required to comply with the specified BIS certification requirements during this extended period.

The enforcement of the applicable Indian Standards for products listed under serial numbers 51, 52, and 53 has been postponed until 31 March 2027. This means businesses that manufacture or import these products can continue operations without mandatory BIS certification until the revised enforcement date.

Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 – BIS-ISI Enforcement Extension

Manufacturers and importers dealing with these steel products now have additional time to obtain BIS certification and align with the applicable Quality Control Order (QCO) requirements

BIS-ISI Enforcement Extended for 3 Years (Till 19 June 2029)     

BIS-ISI Enforcement Extended Till 31 March 2027 

Why Was This Amendment Introduced?

The reasons for introducing this amendment are:

To support industry compliance, manufacturers require additional time to align with BIS Standards, meet compliance requirements, obtain test reports, and secure a BIS license. This QCO provides temporary relief.

• Ensure a Smooth Market Entry - The extension will help manufacturers and importers avoid supply chain disruptions as they prepare for mandatory compliance requirements.
• To Promote Practical Implementation- The Government of India grants additional time for the selected steel products to achieve compliance without affecting ongoing business operations.

Impact on Manufacturers and Importers

Manufacturers or importers are affected by the Quality Control amendment order in the following ways:

• Reduced Immediate Compliance Pressure: This Amendment provides companies more time to prepare for BIS certification.
• Better Certification Planning: Manufacturers can use this extra time to complete product testing, paperwork, factory inspections, and BIS license applications, and to learn more about Indian regulatory requirements.
• Continued Market Access: Eligible products can still be manufactured, imported, and sold in India during the exemption period without QCO-related restrictions.

Who Should Pay Attention to This Update?

This amendment is particularly important for Steel product compliance in India :

• Manufacturers of steel and steel products, as it helps lower compliance costs and offers more operational flexibility.
• Foreign manufacturers who export steel products to India.
• Importers and traders of steel products.
• BIS consultants and compliance professionals.
• Regulatory authorities that support ongoing monitoring and enforcement.

Know about BIS Certification for Steel: process, requirements, and fees for Indian and foreign manufacturers of other steel products BIS certification.

Conclusion

Under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, the Ministry of Steel, India, has issued an extension for the steel products listed under serial numbers 23, 51, 52, 53, and 129 of Schedule I. The new amendment modifies the earlier QCO by providing additional time to comply with BIS standards, ensuring businesses can operate smoothly. Now that businesses have this extra time, they can understand the Indian standards to ensure they comply with them in the future. ERCS Private Limited helps you navigate the BIS process easily and enter the Indian market.