Quality Control Order 2024 for Potable Water Bottles

Introduction to the QCO 2024 For Potable Water Bottles

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), regulates consumer products that have direct implications on public health and safety under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Potable water bottles, which are used for drinking and storage of water, must meet defined material as well as hygiene requirements in order to ensure safety for daily consumption.

Moreover, in order to establish uniform quality benchmarks and prevent the circulation of substandard products in the market, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified a dedicated Quality Control Order covering potable water bottles made of commonly used materials.

Key Changes You Need to Know

Through this Order, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued the Potable Water Bottles (Quality Control) Order, 2024, through the notification dated 05 March 2024.

The key provisions of the order mainly include the following:

1. Conformance of potable water bottles to IS 17803:2022, covering copper, stainless steel, and aluminium potable water bottles, is mandatory for legal compliance.
2. Compulsory use of the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) on all covered products is essential to ensure eligibility with the BIS requirements.
3. BIS certification is definitely to be obtained under Scheme-I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
4. Goods that are manufactured domestically for export purposes are exempted from this Order.
5. The Bureau of Indian Standards has been designated as the certifying and enforcing authority for ensuring conformance with this notification.
6. Anyone who contravenes this order shall be punishable under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

What is the Date of Implementation?

• General Enterprises: After expiry of three months from the date of publication
• Small Enterprises: After expiry of six months from the date of publication
• Micro Enterprises: After expiry of nine months from the date of publication

Now, What to Do?

Manufacturers and importers of potable water bottles should review material specifications, product design, as well as their labelling practices in order to ensure alignment with IS 17803:2022. Enterprises should also assess eligibility under MSME exemptions and plan certification activities accordingly in order to avoid last-minute non-compliance delays as well as unnecessary hassles.

With over a decade of BIS compliance experience, Brand Liaison offers expert consultancy, technical guidance, simplified documentation, testing coordination, as well as complete factory audit assistance. Backed by in-depth product knowledge and hands-on certification expertise, Brand Liaison supports businesses through every stage of BIS certification under the Quality Control Order, 2024.