Draft BIS QCO 2025 for Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters & Blast Chiller and Freezer

Introduction to the BIS (Quality Control) Order, 2025 for Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters & Blast Chiller and Freezer

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has issued a Draft Quality Control Order (QCO) 2025 for certain commercial refrigeration equipment.

This draft order covers Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters, and Blast Chiller and Freezer Cabinets. The objective of the order is to ensure product quality, safety, performance, and energy efficiency for products supplied in the Indian market.

This notification will be called the Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters & Blast Chiller and Freezer Cabinets (Quality Control) Order, 2025.

Key Changes of the QCO You Should Know

As per this draft Quality Control Order:

1. The covered products must conform to the specified Indian Standards
2. Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters
   IS 18801:2023
   ISO 22041:2019
3. Blast Chiller and Freezer Cabinets
   IS 18802:2023
   ISO 22042:2021
4. The products must carry the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark)
5. BIS certification will be mandatory under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
6. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will act as the certifying and enforcing authority
7. Any person who violates this order will be punishable under the BIS Act, 2016

Exemptions to this QCO

This Quality Control Order shall not apply to goods or articles manufactured domestically for export purposes.

What is the Date of Implementation?

The Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters & Blast Chiller and Freezer Cabinets (Quality Control) Order, 2025 will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. The implementation timeline under this draft QCO is as follows:

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

Manufacturers and suppliers must comply with the applicable timeline to continue supplying these products in India.

Now, What to Do?

Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of refrigerated storage cabinets, counters, blast chillers, and freezer cabinets should:

• Check whether their products are covered under this draft QCO
• Identify and understand the applicable Indian Standards
• Ensure product testing as per BIS requirements
• Apply for BIS ISI certification under Scheme-I
• Prepare and submit all required documents
• Complete certification within the prescribed timeline to avoid penalties

Early compliance will help ensure smooth business operations and uninterrupted market access.

Brand Liaison provides complete assistance to manufacturers and importers for BIS compliance under the Draft QCO 2025 for Refrigerated Storage Cabinets and Counters & Blast Chiller and Freezer Cabinets, including standard identification, BIS application filing, testing coordination, documentation support, and regulatory follow-ups for timely certification.