A Quality Control Order (QCO) is a notification by the Central Government that makes an Indian Standard compulsory for a product. Once it comes into force, the product cannot be manufactured, imported, sold, distributed, stored or displayed for sale in India without the BIS Standard Mark under a valid licence or certificate of conformity. For importers, that means the overseas factory must hold BIS certification before goods are shipped.
The legal basis
BIS’s guidance document on QCOs explains that the Central Government publishes QCOs, after consulting BIS, under sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 16, read with section 17 and sub-section (3) of section 25 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
In practice:
- The line ministry (for example DPIIT, the Ministry of Heavy Industries, MeitY, the Ministry of Steel or the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals) decides the product scope, the standard, the commencement date and any exemptions, usually after stakeholder consultation.
- BIS provides technical input, grants licences or certificates under the scheme named in the order, and acts as the enforcement authority.
The Department of Consumer Affairs is BIS’s administrative ministry, but each QCO belongs to the ministry that issued it.
What a QCO actually requires
Every QCO has the same core parts:
| Part of the order | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Products, Indian Standards and sometimes HS codes covered |
| Conformity assessment scheme | Usually Scheme-I (ISI mark licence), Scheme-II (registration) or another specified scheme |
| Commencement date | When the prohibition starts; some orders give later dates to certain categories |
| Exemptions | For example goods for export or R&D, where the order provides for them |
| Penalty clause | Reference to section 29 of the BIS Act |
The guidance also notes that the latest version of the Indian Standard, including amendments, applies under a QCO. When a standard is revised, BIS allows a period of concurrent running and licensees must change over within the notified timeline.
How QCOs affect importers
Imports are treated like domestic goods
BIS’s guidance states that where domestic products must comply with an Indian Standard, imported products must comply too, unless the order specifically exempts them. The foreign manufacturer therefore needs a licence under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), or registration under CRS for MeitY-notified electronics.
The licence belongs to the factory, not the importer
FMCS licences are factory- and product-specific, and BIS’s FAQs say only the foreign manufacturer can apply. If you import the same product from three factories, each factory needs its own licence. Changing suppliers mid-year can mean starting certification again.
Timelines are longer than many expect
The FMCS FAQs state, at the time of writing, that grant takes on average about six months from a complete application, because a BIS officer must inspect the overseas factory and samples must be tested in India. Foreign applications are processed only through the normal procedure, not the faster simplified route.
Consignment information
Once licensed, the foreign manufacturer must report details of consignments bearing the Standard Mark (Indian importer, distributor and expected arrival) to BIS as they are despatched, as set out in BIS’s Grant of Licence guidelines. Importers should agree with their suppliers who handles this.
Penalties for non-compliance
BIS’s guidance states that contravening a QCO is punishable under section 29(3) of the BIS Act, 2016. As per the text of the Act, at the time of writing, this provides for imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of not less than two lakh rupees for a first contravention and not less than five lakh rupees for subsequent contraventions, which may extend to ten times the value of the goods involved, or both. The Act also provides for search and seizure of non-compliant goods.
Beyond legal penalties, the commercial risk is usually bigger: consignments held at customs, demurrage, and goods that cannot lawfully be sold.
QCOs change: deferrals, suspensions and withdrawals
QCOs are not static. Recent examples from official sources:
- The Ministry of Textiles rescinded the QCO for viscose staple fibre with immediate effect, as announced by PIB on 18 November 2025.
- The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals’ notifications page lists a December 2025 notification withdrawing QCOs for several petrochemicals, and temporary suspensions of other chemical QCOs during 2026.
- The BIS Scheme-X page cites a November 2025 order deferring an upcoming phase of the Electrical Equipment QCO for low-voltage switchgear.
- The Ministry of Heavy Industries lists a January 2026 notification withdrawing the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024.
At the same time, new orders keep arriving. The BIS list of upcoming QCOs includes household and similar electrical appliances under IS 302 (Part 1):2024 from 1 October 2026 and several aluminium products for electrical use from 1 December 2026.
Note: Secondary summaries of QCO changes often disagree on dates. Treat the Gazette notification on egazette.gov.in and the issuing ministry’s own website as authoritative, and re-check the position just before shipment and again before customs clearance.
Reading a QCO notification: what to look for
Gazette notifications are short but dense. When a new or amended QCO appears, read it in this order:
- The title and issuing ministry. This tells you who to approach for clarifications.
- The schedule. Note each product description, Indian Standard number and, where given, HS code. HS codes help customs, but the product description and standard decide coverage.
- The commencement clause. Check whether different dates apply to different categories of manufacturer or to certain products.
- The scheme. Confirm whether a licence under Scheme-I, a registration or another conformity assessment route is required, because the process and timeline differ sharply.
- Exemptions and exclusions. Look for goods meant for export, R&D samples or specific product types excluded from scope.
- Amendment orders. A later order may change dates, add products or remove them, so always read the latest amendment alongside the original.
A planning checklist for importers
- Map your catalogue against the BIS compulsory certification lists and the upcoming QCO page.
- Identify every manufacturing site that supplies covered products.
- Check each supplier’s certification status on BIS records before placing orders, rather than relying on a copy of a certificate.
- Allow realistic lead time for overseas inspection and testing in India.
- Agree responsibilities in the supply contract: who pays for certification, who acts as AIR, who reports consignments and what happens if a licence is suspended.
- Watch for amendments to the standard, which can require changeover testing.
- Raise questions early. Per BIS’s guidance, ask the issuing ministry about applicability, exemptions, stock-in-hand and extensions, and ask BIS about coverage under the standard.
How Aaditech can help
Aaditech helps importers and their overseas suppliers work out which QCOs apply, plan certification around commencement dates and manage BIS licensing under FMCS or the ISI mark scheme. Our promoters are former BIS Directors, which helps when an order’s coverage is unclear or a deadline is close. Learn more about our ISI mark certification service.