BIS QCO 2024 for Electrical Equipment (Second Amendment)

Introduction to the BIS QCO for Electrical Equipment

The Ministry of Heavy Industries had earlier notified the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Order, 2020 on 11 November 2020 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, with the main objective of ensuring safety, quality, as well as conformity of electrical equipment manufactured, sold, or imported in India. The 2020 Order mandated that specified electrical equipment conform to the applicable Indian Standards and bear the Standard Mark under a valid BIS licence.

Subsequently, the Order was amended in May 2023 in order to rationalise implementation timelines and requirements for certain categories of electrical equipment. To further update and substitute the compliance timelines and conditions, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has now issued the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024.

Key Changes You Need to Know

For this notification, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has issued the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024, through a Gazette Notification dated 03 May 2024, introducing the following key aspects:

1. This new Order will be called Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024.
2. The amendment substitutes the Table provided under the Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023.
3. Revised implementation dates for specified categories of electrical equipment are to be followed strictly.
4. Manufacturers are required to submit a declaration to BIS confirming submission of the Test Compliance Report.
5. The declaration must be submitted by 10 May 2026, or by any other date officially notified, whichever is later.
6. BIS remains the certifying and enforcing authority, and anyone who contravenes this order will be punishable under the BIS Act, 2016.

What is the Date of Implementation?

The Electrical Equipment (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2024, comes into force as per the implementation dates specified in Column (5) of the Table appended to the Order.

Manufacturers must carefully verify the applicable date for their specific electrical equipment category, as compliance obligations are product-specific as well as absolutely time-limited.

Now, What to Do?

Manufacturers as well as importers of electrical equipment should immediately review the revised Table under the Second Amendment in order to identify applicable enforcement dates and declaration requirements. Timely preparation of test compliance reports, coordination with BIS-recognised laboratories, as well as accurate submission of declarations to BIS, are all the more essential in order to avoid non-compliance risks.

With 10+ years of experience in BIS and QCO compliance, Brand Liaison provides expert consultancy, simplified documentation support, technical assistance, testing coordination, as well as factory audit guidance. Backed by in-depth industry knowledge and hands-on regulatory expertise, Brand Liaison helps businesses to easily navigate complex amendments efficiently and ensures smooth compliance with evolving Electrical Equipment QCO requirements.