In a major move, the Union government is planning to bring in 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) encompassing 129 new products by the end of 2024. These products are covered by central ministries of Steel, Mines, Commerce, Animal Husbandry, Labour, Petroleum, Heavy Industries and Women & Child Development. A report by SURFACES REPORTER.
What are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?
Quality Control Orders (QCOs), issued by the Government of India, play a key role in ensuring the availability of safe, reliable and quality products to consumers. Products under QCOs require a mandatory BIS licence and shouldn’t be manufactured, sold or imported without BIS Standard Marks.
QCOs are issued by different line ministries while the standards of products are prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Why is QCO crucial?
The move is aimed towards making Indian-made products better compete globally. As India is pushing for many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with other countries, it will result in a significantly lowered import duty on manufactured items. Hence, the government has to be on guard against the import of substandard goods into the country.
The QCOs are applicable to goods meant for export. However, the clause can be reviewed in future.
According to the media reports, some countries already accept BIS-certifed products and with the new QCO orders, more may follow suit.
The main purpose of QCO is to ensure that the domestic consumer gets the best quality product despite of its origin.
Ceramic Tiles and Consumer durables will come under QCOs
The new products that will come under the QCOs include consumer durables, ceramic tiles and plastic products. According to the reports, the government has already published draft orders for 77 QCOs covering 317 products on the WTO website for stakeholders’ comments. Once the comments are received, the government will evaluate and if required a stakeholder consultation will be done prior to final notifications.
Effect on the sector
With the new QCOs, there will be stringent quality control on the products available in the market. Products like imported ceramic tiles and furniture will have to undergo strong quality test to remain available in the market
Center is planning to issue QCOs for 2500 items
As of now 156 QCOs have been issued for 672 products. Recently, Union Commerce, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the Centre will soon bring Quality Control Orders (QCO) for about 2,500 items.
Addressing a meeting on the 77th foundation day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), he said till 2014, there were only 14 QCOs of 106 products, but, in 2024, there are 156 QCOs of 672 products. 90% of the QCOs, according to him, came in last few years of the Narendra Modi government. “QCOs are being processed in nearly 2,500 more items which reflects our commitment towards quality by providing high standards goods and services,” he said.
(With inputs from Live Mint & The Hindu)