Quality Control Orders (QCOs) in India 2024: Which Products Are Now Mandatory Under BIS?

A Quality Control Order (QCO) is a government notification issued under the BIS Act or the Essential Commodities Act that makes BIS certification mandatory for a specific product category. Once a QCO is in force, manufacturers, importers, and distributors cannot place the product in the Indian market without a valid BIS licence.

India has significantly accelerated QCO issuances since 2020 as part of the Make in India and import substitution strategy — with new orders covering everything from footwear and plywood to cookware and drawer slides.

⚡ Why QCOs Are Being Issued at a Rapid Pace

The Government of India uses QCOs as a dual-purpose tool: to raise product safety and quality standards for Indian consumers, and to create a level playing field for domestic manufacturers by ensuring imported products meet the same standards. This is why nearly every major industry has seen at least one new QCO in the 2022–2024 period.

📋 Key QCOs Issued in 2023–2024 by Sector

📊 Recent QCOs: Quick Reference Table

🔍 How to Check If Your Product Has a QCO

1. Visit the BIS website: www.bis.gov.in and check the mandatory certification section
2. Search the Indian Gazette for QCOs under your product's HS Code or description
3. Check ministry websites (DPIIT, MoCI) for newly notified QCOs
4. Consult a BIS certification expert who tracks QCO issuances regularly

🗓️ What Happens If You Miss the Compliance Date?

Each QCO specifies an effective date from which compliance is mandatory. Products manufactured, imported, or sold after that date without valid BIS certification are in violation. Grace periods are sometimes granted for existing stock, but new imports post-effective-date are blocked at customs.