BIS QCO for Electrical Appliance for Domestic Clothes Washing

Introduction to the BIS QCO FOR Electrical Appliance for Domestic Clothes Washing

The Indian standards body is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which takes care of the safety, quality, and performance of products being sold in the Indian market. The Government of India has been making gradual announcements of the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, to enhance consumer safety and the removal of electrical appliances of sub-standard quality.

Previous QCOs had an assortment of electrical and electronic appliances, requiring certification by BIS before their market positioning. As a follow-up to this initiative, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has now informed the Electrical Appliance for Domestic Clothes Washing (Quality Control) Order, 2023, which was published on 5 March 2024, which imposes the domestic clothes washing machine under mandatory BIS certification, with the compliance timeline to be phased in for micro and small enterprises.

Products that fall under the QCO

The Quality Control Order applies to:

• Domestic clothes washing and electric appliances: IS 302 (Part 2 / Section 7): 2010

These products have to conform to the given Indian Standard and have the ISI Mark before manufacturing, importing, or selling in India.

Key Provisions of the Order

1. There must be mandatory adherence to the notified Indian Standard.
2. The Standard Mark (ISI Mark) has to appear on products with a valid license issued by BIS.
3. The certification is to be received on the Scheme-I of the Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
4. This Order does not apply to products that are manufactured to be exported only.
5. The BIS will be the certifying and enforcement authority.
6. The Order if violated, it will be subject to punishment under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

What is the Date of Implementation?

Implementation of this QCO is gradual according to the size of the enterprise:

• General manufacturers:

Will apply six months after publication in the Official Gazette.

• Small enterprises:

Valid for nine months from the publication date.

• Micro enterprises:

Relevant after a period of twelve months since publication.

Enterprise classification will be based on the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.

Now, what to do?

Manufacturers and importers of domestic clothes washing appliances should immediately:

• Check product applicability under the QCO
• Identify compliance requirements under IS 302 (Part 2/Sec 7): 2010
• Get products tested from BIS-recognised laboratories
• Prepare technical and compliance documentation
• Apply for BIS ISI Mark certification within the prescribed timeline
• Ensure full compliance before enforcement to avoid penalties, product recalls, or market restrictions

Early compliance planning is crucial, especially for micro and small enterprises, to avoid operational disruptions.

How Brand Liaison Can Help

Brand Liaison offers comprehensive support for BIS certification and QCO compliance, including:

• Product applicability assessment under QCOs
• End-to-end BIS ISI certification assistance
• Testing coordination with BIS-recognised laboratories
• Documentation preparation and application filing
• Liaison with BIS authorities for smooth approvals
• Special compliance guidance for micro and small enterprises

With extensive expertise in BIS standards and Quality Control Orders, Brand Liaison ensures a smooth, timely, and hassle-free certification process, enabling manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements confidently.