BIS Quality Control Order for Electrical Accessories

Introduction to the BIS QCO of Electrical Accessories 

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has issued the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. The earlier QCO mandated BIS certification for electrical accessories; the 2023 order updates standards, timelines, and compliance provisions, but does not remove the previous requirement for BIS licensing. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the authority that mandates certification for electrical equipment. The BIS is responsible for ensuring the safety and performance of the products being regulated in the Indian market.

Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023 mandates compulsory BIS certification for specified electrical accessories to ensure product quality, safety, and conformity with Indian Standards. Products covered under this order must bear the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Products Covered Under the QCO

Table 1:

Table 2:

Key Provisions of the Electrical Accessories QCO, 2023

• All products listed above are required to be certified under BIS.
• The products should comply with the most recent edition of the relevant Indian Standard.
• A BIS license has to be taken under Scheme-I.
• This order does not apply to export only goods produced in India.
• BIS will be the certification and enforcement body.
• Failure to comply will be subject to the punishment of the BIS Act, 2016.

What does this Notification mean to Businesses?

With this notification, BIS certification has become a legal requirement for both manufacturers and importers of notified electrical accessories. Business representatives now have to guarantee product testing, inspection of the factory, and licensing of the products before their sale in the Indian market. Customers should only buy the goods that are BIS licensed.

Impact of this order on the industry

• Enhance product safety and reliability.
• Minimizes the distribution of poor-quality electrical products.
• Increases customer confidence in certified electrical accessories.

What is the Date of Implementation?

• General manufacturers: 6 months after publication date
• Small businesses: 9 months after publishing
• Micro enterprises: 12 months of publication
• Table 2 Products: The products in Table 2 are eligible after 18 months of publication

Now, What to Do?

BIS certification has become a requirement for all listed products with the Electrical Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2023, coming into force in 2023. 

Businesses should ensure that they comply and prevent punishments by ensuring that they:

• Apply to take the BIS certification immediately.
• Make sure that manufacturing and quality systems are in accordance with the Indian Standards.
• Keep good records and test preparation.
• The importers should ensure that the foreign manufacturers possess valid BIS licenses.

Brand Liaison offers professional help in BIS certifications, product testing, regulatory advice, and professional consultancy. Our expertise will enable businesses to accomplish the timely and cost-effective compliance of all electrical accessories.