Wood-Based Boards Quality Control Order Notification for Micro and Small Enterprises

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued the "Wood Based Boards (Quality Control) Order, 2023," scheduled to be effective six months from its publication date. This regulatory directive mandates conformity to Indian Standards such as IS 1659:2004 for Block boards, IS 12823:2015 for Prelaminated particle boards from wood and other lignocellulosic materials, IS 3087:2005 for Particle boards of wood and other lignocellulosic materials (medium density), IS 12406:2021 for Medium density fibre boards for general purposes, and IS 3097:2006 for Veneered particle boards. It requires these products to bear the ISI Mark, signifying compliance with specified quality criteria. Manufacturers are obligated to acquire a license under Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The order includes provisions tailored for Micro and Small Enterprises as defined by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, with differing compliance timelines: Small Enterprises are to comply within nine months from the publication date, while Micro Enterprises have twelve months. This initiative is designed to strengthen consumer safety by rigorously enforcing quality standards, thereby enhancing the overall reliability and quality of Wood Based Boards available in the market. Failure to comply with these regulations may lead to penalties under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, demonstrating the government's commitment to ensuring industry adherence to established norms and safeguarding consumer interests.