Introduction
BIS compliance requirements can change significantly when the Government issues, amends, defers, or withdraws a Quality Control Order (QCO) for any notified product in the Indian market. For manufacturers, importers, traders, as well as businesses who are supplying non-ferrous metals in India, keeping track of these changes is essential before planning shipments or market entry into India.
In 2025, the Government notified separate QCOs for Primary Lead, Refined Zinc, Refined Nickel and Tin Ingots, linking these products with their respective Indian Standards and BIS certification requirements. However, the regulatory position has changed significantly over time. As per the latest BIS Scheme-I information, all four QCOs were withdrawn. The relevant Indian Standards continue to be listed by BIS, but the withdrawal of these QCOs means businesses should not treat the 2025 orders as currently applicable mandatory BIS certification requirements for compliance in the Indian market.
This article explains the latest BIS compliance position, the applicable Indian Standards, product requirements, and what manufacturers as well as importers should consider before supplying these metals in the Indian market.
What is the Latest BIS Update for these Four Metals?
The four products covered by the 2025 QCOs were:
| Product | Applicable Indian Standard | 2025 QCO Status |
| Primary Lead | IS 27:2023 | Withdrawn |
| Refined Zinc | IS 209:2024 | Withdrawn |
| Refined Nickel | IS 2782:2023 | Withdrawn |
| Tin Ingots | IS 26:2024 | Withdrawn |
BIS currently records the withdrawal of all four QCOs through notifications in 2025. Therefore, the regulatory position in 2026 is different from the position when the original QCOs were introduced.
This distinction is majorly important because an Indian Standard and a mandatory QCO are not the same thing. An Indian Standard specifies technical requirements for a product, while a QCO is the regulatory mechanism that can make conformity to a specified standard and BIS certification mandatory.
Why Did these BIS QCOs Attract Attention?
The 2025 QCOs were significant because they proposed compulsory conformity requirements for four important non-ferrous refined metals used extensively across industrial supply chains. The orders covered the following products:
- Primary Lead under IS 27:2023
- Refined Zinc under IS 209:2024
- Refined Nickel under IS 2782:2023
- Tin Ingots under IS 26:2024
The original QCOs were notified and subsequently amended in 2025 before being withdrawn. BIS's current Scheme-I listing records the complete notification history for these products. For businesses, this is an important example of why compliance decisions should be based on the latest applicable notification, rather than an old QCO, product checklist, or secondary source.
Primary Lead: IS 27:2023 and Product Requirements
Primary lead is widely used in industrial applications, including lead-acid batteries, cable-related applications, radiation shielding, as well as various other manufacturing processes.
IS 27:2023 specifies requirements for primary lead ingots produced from ore or similar raw materials. The standard identifies grades based on minimum lead content, including:
- Pb99.90Cu
- Pb99.97
- Pb99.985
- Pb99.99
- Pb99.995
The standard also addresses chemical composition, surface condition, ingot dimensions, as well as marking requirements. Primary lead produced from scrap or secondary sources is outside the scope of this standard and is separately addressed under IS 3717. The BIS product manual for IS 27:2023 provides technical and certification-related guidance for the standard, to be followed by manufacturers of the same.
What Should Businesses Check for Primary Lead?
Manufacturers and buyers dealing with primary lead should verify the following:
- Grade and chemical composition
- Source of raw material
- Ingot form and dimensions
- Cast or lot identification
- Manufacturer identification
- Applicable product documentation
- Current regulatory requirements applicable to the intended transaction
The QCO withdrawal should not be interpreted as withdrawal of the Indian Standard itself.
Refined Zinc: Understanding IS 209:2024
Refined zinc is used across galvanizing, construction, die casting, coatings, thermal spraying as well as several manufacturing applications.
IS 209:2024 covers refined zinc in ingot form and recognizes five grades:
- Zn99.995
- Zn99.99
- Zn99.95
- Zn99.5
- Zn98.65
The standard usually addresses the production, chemical composition, surface condition, as well as the marking of refined zinc ingots. It also provides requirements concerning identification such as cast or lot number, material grade, manufacturer information, and mass.
For manufacturers and importers, the standard remains relevant as a technical product specification, even though the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025 was subsequently withdrawn.
Refined Nickel: Key Points Under IS 2782:2023
Refined nickel is an important industrial material that is widely used in steel production, aerospace applications, batteries, as well as various products requiring corrosion resistance and performance across varying temperatures.
IS 2782:2023 covers refined nickel primarily produced from ore or similar raw materials. It identifies six grades:
- NR9995
- NR9990
- NR9982
- NR9980
- NR9960
- NR9900
The standard also addresses the form and identification of the material. Typical forms can include briquettes, cathodes, granules, pellets, powders and shots, subject to the applicable requirements and agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer.
Tin Ingots and IS 26:2024
Tin is widely used in packaging, electronics, soldering-related applications, chemical industries as well as several other industrial processes where its properties can support corrosion resistance and product performance.
IS 26:2024 covers refined tin ingots that are produced from ore or secondary tin-bearing materials in ingot form. The standard identifies six grades according to minimum tin content:
- Sn99.75
- Sn99.85
- Sn99.90
- Sn99.93
- Sn99.95
- Sn99.99
It also addresses the surface condition and chemical composition of tin ingots.
The Tin Ingot (Quality Control) Order, 2025 was amended, but BIS has withdrawn the mandatory certification for the same.
Does QCO Withdrawal mean the Indian Standard is Cancelled?
No. Withdrawal of a QCO does not, by itself, mean that the underlying Indian Standard has been withdrawn. The four standards continue to be identified by the BIS.
The key difference is regulatory applicability. A standard can continue to provide technical specifications even when a particular QCO making compliance compulsory has been withdrawn.
Businesses should therefore avoid using the terms “Indian Standard” and “mandatory BIS certification” interchangeably. The actual requirement depends on the current notification that is applicable to the product.
What Does the Withdrawal Mean for Manufacturers and Importers?
For businesses that are dealing with these four metals, the withdrawal changes the compliance assessment. Manufacturers and importers should consider the following:
- Check the latest QCO status before planning compliance in India.
- Confirm the exact product description as well as the grade of the product.
- Identify the applicable Indian Standard.
- Verify whether any other regulation or notification applies to the specific product.
- Review purchase as well as related supply specifications.
- Maintain appropriate technical and quality documentation.
- Recheck BIS requirements if the Government introduces a new QCO or changes the existing regulatory framework.
This is particularly important for imported products. A company should not rely solely on an old compliance notification when determining whether BIS certification is currently compulsory for the notified product. BIS itself maintains updated information on products under compulsory certification and QCO-related notifications, making the latest regulatory position an important part of compliance verification for staying eligible in the Indian market.
Moreover, a trusted BIS consultant can resolve any surrounding queries for businesses.
BIS Certification vs Indian Standard: What Businesses Should Know
One of the most common compliance mistakes is assuming that every product having an IS number automatically requires an ISI mark. That is not necessarily the case.
An Indian Standard establishes technical specifications, performance requirements, grades, testing parameters, marking provisions, or other requirements for a product. A Quality Control Order can make conformity to a specified Indian Standard compulsory for specified goods.
BIS certification under Scheme-I is the mandatory certification requirement through which a manufacturer can obtain authorization to use the Standard Mark and CML number for the approved products.
Therefore, businesses should establish three things separately:
Product → Applicable Indian Standard → Current mandatory notification/QCO
Practical Compliance Checklist for Non-Ferrous Metal Businesses in India
Before manufacturing, importing, or supplying primary lead, refined zinc, refined nickel, or tin ingots, businesses should keep the following information ready:
- Exact product name and description
- Product grade
- Applicable Indian Standard
- Chemical composition
- Manufacturing process
- Raw material source
- Product form and dimensions
- Test reports, where applicable
- Batch/cast/lot details
- Manufacturer information
- Import documentation, where applicable
- Purchase and customer specifications
- Current BIS/QCO status
Moreover, for foreign manufacturers and importers, it is especially important to distinguish between the mandatory ISI mark certification and ISO mark registration for the notified products before scheduling shipments for the Indian market.
Why Regulatory Tracking Matters in BIS Compliance?
BIS compliance is not a one-time exercise. QCOs can be notified, amended, deferred, transitioned, or withdrawn. For businesses, this means compliance information should be reviewed against the latest official notification before making decisions involving:
- New product launches
- Imports
- Factory production
- Customer contracts
- Procurement
- Certification applications
- Shipment planning
A compliance requirement that was applicable in one period may not remain applicable after a regulatory amendment or withdrawal. Thus, staying updated is important for business continuity in India. A top BIS certification consultant in India can help businesses remain informed about the latest BIS updates and amendments.
How Brand Liaison Can Support Your BIS Compliance Assessment?
Understanding whether a product needs BIS certification requires more than checking whether an Indian Standard exists. Brand Liaison assists manufacturers, importers, as well as businesses entering the Indian market with product compliance assessment and BIS-related requirements. Here is how we support businesses of notified products in the Indian market:
- Product eligibility assessment
- Identification of applicable Indian Standards
- QCO and regulatory-status review
- Documentation guidance
- Technical documentation support
- Test report coordination
- BIS certification assistance where applicable
- Factory and quality-system preparation
- Audit assistance
- AIR support for foreign manufacturers
- Post-certification compliance support
With more than 12 years of experience, we help businesses smoothly manage Indian market product certifications and approvals and streamline their compliance journey with ease and efficiency. Contact Brand Liaison, the best BIS ISI certification consultant in Delhi, India, today.
Conclusion
The BIS compliance position for Primary Lead, Refined Zinc, Refined Nickel, and Tin Ingots has changed since the 2025 QCOs were introduced. For manufacturers and importers, it is important that they do not assume that an Indian Standard means mandatory BIS certification. As BIS regulations continue to evolve, businesses should check product eligibility before initiating BIS applications and know their compliance position before importing, manufacturing or supplying products in India, in order to prevent delays and legal consequences.
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