BIS Draft QCO for Reinforcement Couplers for Mechanical Splices 2025

Introduction to the BIS Draft QCO for Reinforcement Couplers

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has issued a draft Quality Control Order (QCO) titled Reinforcement Couplers for Mechanical Splices (Quality Control) Order, 2025, under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

This draft QCO aims to regulate the quality and safety of reinforcement couplers used for mechanical splicing of steel bars in concrete by mandating compulsory BIS certification and ISI marking. The objective of the order is to ensure standardisation, reliability, and structural safety of construction materials used in the Indian market.

The order shall apply to Reinforcement Couplers for Mechanical Splices of Steel Bars in Concrete, which are notified under the Quality Control framework.

Key Changes of the QCO You Should Know

1. The notified goods and articles must:
   1. Conform to the specified Indian Standard
   2. Bear the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) under a license from the Bureau of Indian Standards
   3. Be certified as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2. The products covered under this draft QCO shall conform to the following Indian Standard:
   1. IS 16172:2023 – Reinforcement Couplers for Mechanical Splices of Steel Bars in Concrete

Exemptions to this QCO:

The following exemptions are provided under the order:

1. Up to 200 goods or articles imported per year for research and development, subject to the condition that:
   1. Such goods shall not be sold commercially
   2. Such goods may be disposed of as scrap
   3. A year-wise record of such imports shall be maintained and furnished to the Central Government
2. Goods or articles manufactured domestically for export shall also be exempted from the applicability of this order.

Penalty:

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Quality Control Order shall be punishable under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

What is the Date of Implementation?

The Reinforcement Couplers for Mechanical Splices (Quality Control) Order, 2025, shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, with phased implementation timelines applicable to different categories of enterprises:

• General enterprises (other than Micro and Small Enterprises): 6 months from the date of publication of the order
• Small enterprises: 9 months from the date of publication of the order
• Micro enterprises: 12 months from the date of publication of the order

Now, What to Do?

Manufacturers and importers dealing with reinforcement couplers should evaluate their product compliance with IS 16172:2023, assess applicable implementation timelines based on enterprise classification, and initiate BIS certification planning well in advance. Proper documentation, testing readiness, and exemption eligibility should also be reviewed to avoid compliance gaps once the QCO is enforced.

Brand Liaison provides end-to-end compliance assistance for manufacturers and importers of reinforcement couplers, including BIS certification support, applicability assessment, exemption advisory, testing coordination, documentation preparation, and regulatory liaison. With over 10 years of experience in BIS QCO compliance, Brand Liaison helps businesses ensure timely certification and uninterrupted market access while remaining fully compliant with Indian regulatory requirements.