Electrical Appliances for Domestic Water Heating Quality Control Order

Introduction to the Electrical Appliances QCO

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified the Electrical Appliances for Domestic Water Heating (Quality Control) Order, 2024 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, mainly with the objective of ensuring safety, quality, as well as absolute standardisation of electrical water heating appliances that are used for domestic purposes. These products are widely used across households and pose safety as well as energy-related risks if not manufactured in accordance with prescribed standards, making regulatory oversight all the more essential.

The Order mandates compulsory BIS certification for specified electrical appliances that are used for domestic water heating and introduces phased enforcement timelines, particularly providing relaxation to micro and small enterprises in order to facilitate smoother compliance.

Key Changes You Need to Know

As per the notification dated 05 March 2024, the following provisions apply under the Quality Control Order, as specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS):

1. Electrical appliances for domestic water heating must conform to the relevant Indian Standards, including:
   1. IS 17150:2019: Mini domestic water heaters for use with piped natural gas (PNG)
   2. IS 302 (Part 2/Sec 21):2018: Stationary storage type electric water heaters
   3. IS 302 (Part 2/Sec 35):2017: Electric instantaneous water heaters
   4. IS 368:2014: Electric immersion water heaters
   5. IS 2082:2018: Stationary storage type electric water heaters
2. Products must bear the ISI Mark under a licence that is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
3. Certification shall be granted under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
4. Goods that are manufactured domestically exclusively for export purposes are exempt from the provisions of this Order.
5. BIS is designated as the certifying and enforcing authority for ensuring compliance with this notification.
6. Non-compliance will attract penalties under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

What Is the Date of Implementation?

The enforcement timeline under the Order is as follows:

• General enterprises: 6 months from the date of publication
• Small enterprises: 9 months from the date of publication
• Micro enterprises: 12 months from the date of publication

(As defined under the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006)

Now, What Should the Industry Do?

Manufacturers as well as importers of domestic water heating appliances should utilise the extended timelines to initiate BIS certification planning, including identification of applicable standards, product testing, technical documentation preparation, as well as preparing the factories for BIS audits and inspection.

With 10+ years of compliance experience, Brand Liaison offers end-to-end support, including expert consultancy, simplified documentation, technical assistance, testing coordination, factory audit preparation, as well as complete regulatory guidance. Backed by deep industry knowledge and hands-on BIS expertise, Brand Liaison ensures smooth certification and timely compliance, especially for micro and small enterprises who are navigating new Quality Control Orders.