BIS QCO Amendment 2025 for Steel and Steel Products

Introduction to the BIS QCO for Steel and Steel Products

The Ministry of Steel, Government of India, has issued the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, under the provisions of Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016. This amendment revises the earlier Steel and Steel Products Quality Control Order notified in 2024. The objective of this amendment is to provide temporary regulatory relief by keeping BIS enforcement inoperative for certain steel product categories, thereby ensuring uninterrupted supply, easing compliance challenges, as well as supporting domestic manufacturing and imports.

Key Changes You Should Know

1. The amended order keeps mandatory BIS certification inoperative for selected steel as well as the steel product categories that have been listed under Schedule I of the earlier QCO.
2. The inoperative period is divided into:
   1. Three (3) years for a large set of specialized and industrial steel products.
   2. One (1) year for specific stainless steel and tool steel categories.
3. During the inoperative period, manufacturers as well as importers are not required to obtain BIS (ISI) certification for the notified products.
4. After the expiry of the inoperative period, mandatory BIS compliance will automatically apply, unless further amendments are issued.

Steel Products from Schedule 1 for Which Enforcement Remains Inoperative

What is the Date of Implementation?

• The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025, comes into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
• The inoperative periods of 1 year and 3 years shall be calculated from the date of publication of the original Steel QCO, 2024, as specified in the amendment.

Benefits for Businesses

• Reduces immediate compliance as well as certification burden on manufacturers and importers.
• Ensures the availability of critical steel inputs that are required for engineering, automotive, electrical, infrastructure, and export-oriented industries.
• Lowers production as well as the sourcing costs by removing mandatory testing and certification during the relief period.
• Provides operational flexibility to MSMEs, allowing them time to upgrade processes as well as their quality systems.
• Supports uninterrupted imports and smoother supply-chain operations.

Now, What Should Businesses Do?

• Identify product applicability: Check whether your steel products fall under the 1-year or 3-year inoperative category.
• Plan future compliance: Use this relaxation period to align production with applicable Indian Standards.
• Start internal quality assessments: Even though certification is not mandatory now, early preparation will help avoid last-minute compliance issues.
• Monitor regulatory updates: Any further amendments or early enforcement notifications must be tracked closely.
• Consult compliance experts: Engage with BIS consultants to develop a certification roadmap well before enforcement resumes.

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