BIS Latest Amendment QCO 2026 for Cross Recessed Screws

Introduction to the BIS QCO for Cross Recessed Screws

The Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 was introduced by the Ministry of Steel in order to ensure that specified cross recessed screws that are being manufactured, imported, or sold in India must comply with the relevant Indian Standards that have been prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The Order mandates that products covered under the same must conform to the applicable Indian Standards and bear the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a valid BIS licence. The objective is basically to improve product quality, enhance reliability, as well as ensure the use of standardized fasteners across industries such as construction, engineering, automotive, electrical equipment, and manufacturing.

However, the Ministry has now issued the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, introducing a temporary relaxation for certain product categories that are covered under the original Order.

Key Changes You Should Know

1. New Amendment Replaces the Earlier 2025 Order

The Ministry has now issued the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, which supersedes the earlier Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025, while also preserving actions that have been already taken under the previous Order.

2. Three Indian Standards Receive Temporary Exemption

The Amendment provides that the enforcement of the Indian Standards that are listed at:

• Serial Number 12
• Serial Number 13
• Serial Number 14

of the Schedule under the original Quality Control Order will not be operative for a period of three years.

This basically means that the mandatory BIS compliance requirements for these three specified product categories have been temporarily deferred.

3. Duration of the Relaxation

The exemption will remain effective for three years from the date of publication of the Amendment Order in the Official Gazette.

After the expiry of this period, the relevant Indian Standards are expected to become enforceable unless further amendments are issued by the Government.

4. No Change for Other Products

The Amendment applies only to the Indian Standards listed at Serial Numbers 12, 13, and 14.

All other products that have been covered under the Cross Recessed Screws (Quality Control) Order, 2025 continue to remain subject to mandatory BIS certification and compliance requirements without any change.

What is the Date of Implementation?

This new amendment to the QCO for cross recessed screws is eefctive immediately from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, i.e. 20th June 2026. 

Benefits of this Order for the Businesses

The Amendment offers several advantages to manufacturers as well as industry stakeholders, mainly including the following:

• There is now additional time in order to prepare for compliance with the specified Indian Standards.
• Moreover, there is reduced immediate regulatory burden for the product categories that have been affected.
• Greater flexibility for manufacturers to upgrade production processes, helps in long-term sustainability.
• Smoother transition towards mandatory BIS certification will ensure better compliance for the market.
• Better planning for testing, certification, as well as quality assurance activities, will also lead to standardization across the industries.
• There will now be continued focus on maintaining quality standards for all other covered products.

The temporary deferment actually helps businesses align with regulatory requirements without disrupting production as well as the supply chains.

Now, What to Do?

Manufacturers, importers, as well as the suppliers of cross recessed screws should carefully assess whether their products fall under the Indian Standards that have been covered by the temporary relaxation. Here is what is recommended for businesses to do: 

• Verify whether your products correspond to Serial Numbers 12, 13, or 14 of the specified Schedule.
• Continue complying with BIS requirements for all other applicable product categories.
• Use the three-year relaxation period in order to prepare for future mandatory certification.
• Plan product testing as well as complete documentation well before the exemption period ends.
• Keep track of any future notifications or amendments that are being issued by the Ministry of Steel or BIS.

At Brand Liaison, we support manufacturers in understanding product-specific Quality Control Orders and preparing for regulatory compliance well in advance. From identifying applicable Indian Standards and coordinating product testing to managing BIS licence applications as well as compliance planning, our experts help businesses achieve certification in an efficient manner while ensuring uninterrupted market access in India.