Understanding BIS QCOs: What Quality Control Orders Mean for Your Business
Understanding BIS QCOs: What Quality Control Orders Mean for Your Business
Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are among the most powerful regulatory tools the Indian government uses to mandate product quality standards. Understanding QCOs is essential for any manufacturer or importer operating in India.
What Is a QCO?
A Quality Control Order is a government notification issued under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016. When a QCO is issued for a product category, it makes BIS certification mandatory for that product — meaning the product cannot be legally manufactured, imported, stocked, or sold in India without a valid BIS certification mark.
Who Issues QCOs?
QCOs are issued by:
- DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Industry): For most industrial and consumer products
- MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and IT): For electronics and IT products (CRO under MeitY)
- Other Ministries: Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Food Processing for sector-specific products
What Happens When a QCO Is Issued?
- The notification is published in the Official Gazette of India
- A compliance timeline is specified — typically 6-18 months for large enterprises, with extended timelines for smaller enterprises
- After the deadline, products without BIS certification cannot be sold, imported, or manufactured
- Violations attract penalties under the BIS Act 2016
Recent Major QCOs (2024-2026)
- IS 302 Part 1 QCO 2026: 90 household electrical appliances — deadline October 2026
- MeitY CRO Amendment 2025: IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 transition for IT/AV equipment
- Various textile QCOs: Synthetic fibres, carpets, and textile products
- Steel products QCOs: Structural steel, reinforcement bars
- Toys QCO: Mandatory BIS certification for toys sold in India
How to Track New QCOs
- Monitor the Official Gazette of India (egazette.gov.in)
- Check the BIS website (bis.gov.in) for new mandatory certification notifications
- Subscribe to regulatory update services
- Engage a regulatory consultant who monitors QCO developments
House of Testing monitors new QCO developments and proactively informs our clients about compliance obligations. Contact us to set up regulatory monitoring for your product portfolio.
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