Context: The Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 24 footwear products, including rubber hawai chappal, and formal and sports shoes will be implemented from July 1, 2023. The QCOs will be also implemented for large and medium enterprises and small and micro units under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification Scheme.
About Quality Control Orders
- To achieve the twin objectives of development of a robust quality ecosystem in the country and providing consumers with quality goods meeting the global benchmark.
- The Central Government, after consulting BIS, publishes the QCOs under BIS Act, 2016 thereby bringing the products under BIS Mandatory Certification.
- Through the issuance of QCOs, the notified products have to conform to the requirements of the relevant Indian standard and the manufacturers of these products have to compulsorily obtain certification from BIS.
- After the date of commencement of the QCO, no person shall manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any product(s) covered under the QCO without a standard mark except under a valid certification from BIS.
- As the QCOs are equally applicable to Indian manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers, Indian consumers are assured of the quality of such products manufactured in India as well as imported to the country.
- Some of the recent examples are toys (both electric and non-electric), helmets for two-wheeler riders, and domestic appliances like air-conditioners, refrigerators, domestic cookers, and LPG gas stoves, among other products.
- QCOs are issued by various Line Ministries (Regulators) under the Central Government depending upon the product(s)/ product categories.
- Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Order shall be punishable under the BIS Act, 2016 with imprisonment or with fine or with both.
- Any exemptions like non-applicability of the Order on specific product(s), product(s) meant for export, etc. come under the purview of the Line Ministry (Regulator) who has issued the QCO. Wherever exemptions are permitted, these are clearly brought out in the respective QCO itself.
- If any person is having issues/queries/clarifications related to the applicability of QCO they may approach the concerned Line Ministry/Department of the Central Government that has issued the QCO.
If any person is having queries/clarifications related to coverage of any product under Indian Standard covered under QCO, they may approach BIS.
About Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification Scheme
- The BIS certification scheme is voluntary in nature but the Centre can make compliance with Indian Standards compulsory for various products under various considerations viz. public interest, protection of human, animal, or plant health, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security.
- For such products, the Central Government directs mandatory use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from BIS through the issuance of QCOs.
About BIS
- It is the National Standards Statutory Body of India under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.
- It is established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
The Minister in charge of the Ministry or Department having administrative control of the BIS is the ex-officio President of the BIS.
