Upcoming QCOs -Announced and To Be Implemented

Upcoming QCOS – notified and due for implementation

India is evolving at a rapid rate. The government is ensuring that all products sold in the country, be it locally produced or imported, are of some quality standard. This is being achieved by a way, which is termed Quality Control Orders, or rather known as QCOs. Being a manufacturer, importer, trader, or business owner, it is no longer a choice to be familiar with QCOs. 

What Is a QCO?

Quality Control Order (QCO) is a government official order. It is published by various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India according to the Act of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) 2016. A QCO has made it obligatory to ensure that a product bears the symbol of the BIS Certification Mark (ISI Mark) to be in a position to be manufactured, sold, imported, or distributed in India. In case a QCO is enforced in your product, and you are not BIS certified, then you cannot legally sell such a product in India.

What Is the Rationale of the Government Doing this?

India has been exerting a lot of effort to develop a more robust domestic production industry in its program called Make in India. Over the last few decades, India has been importing large quantities of manufactured goods from other countries, most of which were of poor or unequal quality.

The government is ensuring that quality standards are maintained through QCOs by:

– Safeguarding consumers against unsafe goods or those of inferior quality.

– Having a stimulus for the local manufacturers to make superior products.

– The decrease in the reliance on imports.

-Encouraging foreign firms to establish their manufacturing plants in India.

The outcomes already began to manifest themselves. This has been the case in the toy industry, e.g., once QCOs have been put into place, with an increase in the importation duties, India became a net toy exporter, rather than a net importer. The 84 companies in the air conditioner industry had invested more than 10,000 crore in the industry, intending to produce more than 170,000 crore. Investment commitments were over 43000 crore in the steel Industry. They are not mere figures; they indicate that QCOs are massively transforming the Indian industry.

What is the Number of QCOs at the Moment?

QCOs have been increasing at a dramatic pace. Back in 2019, there were only 88 QCOs in place. As of 2024 (December), this figure had increased to 765 QCOs – almost nine times in five years. New QCOs are being introduced in such sectors as metals, machinery, electronics, chemicals, furniture, and textiles.

The BIS site (bis. gov.in) has a current list of future QCOs which were notified and are to be implemented with a particular enforcement date. This is a list that businesses should closely follow. As the implementation date approaches, there will be no grace period, as breach of non-compliance may be subject to legal measures stipulated in the BIS Act, 2016.

The main industries that have future QCOs

The new QCOs are being implemented in some of the largest industries, which are:

• Furniture – In February 2025, a QCO on furniture was issued, which took effect in February 2026. The companies in this area must comply with BIS as soon as possible.
• Chemicals and Petrochemicals- The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has renewed and prolonged the dates of enforcement of QCO on a number of chemicals up to 20252026.
• Steel and Metal Products – New QCOs are being implemented on a number of steel products, although some are under review on raw materials.
• Electronics and Electrical Goods – This is an area where new BIS certification requirements are still being enforced.
• Textiles and Garments (Input Materials) – Intermediate materials, such as fibres and yarns, are included in the category of QCOs, but reforms are under discussion.

What is the Next Right Thing Your Business Should Do?

The following is a basic step which any business must take:

1. Check the BIS upcoming QCO list on a regular basis.

Go to the official site of BIS and seek the products that will be applicable to your business. Record the dates when it was implemented.

2. Apply to the BIS Certification early.

Certification of BIS is time-consuming. It involves testing requirements, inspection of the factory, documentation and approvals. It is not worth waiting till the last moment.

3. Align with Indian Standards (IS).

Each of the QCOs is based on a particular Indian Standard. Ensure that your product is made to that standard and is manufactured.

4. As an importer, you need to move more quickly. The overseas manufacturers must acquire BIS certification, and this might be a time-consuming procedure. Start early.

Use professional assistance with compliance. Compliance can sometimes sound complicated in the area of regulations. With the help of consulting firms such as Induce India, you can pass through the BIS procedures, documents, and schedules without getting lost.

Are QCOs Perfect?

If we talk about the truth, QCOs do not have all the smooth sailing. According to one of the NITI Aayog High-Level Committee Reports (2025), several of the QCOs are imposed on raw materials and intermediate products and can increase the expenses of the downstream production manufacturers and small businesses. The cost of compliance (₹10,000 -15,000 per consignment) is usually an issue with MSMEs, as well as access to testing labs.

Listening to the government

There are reforms that are being suggested to rationalise QCOs, namely, to cancel the redundant orders on input materials, leaving the safety-critical ones. This is aimed at making compliance smarter and not stricter.

Conclusion

QCOs are present, and they will continue to increase. For businesses that are ready in advance, they are an enormous opportunity to enhance quality, gain confidence with their customers and compete with confidence in an expanding market. The threat is very real for those who do not pay attention: fines, confiscation of products, and business loss.

At Induce India, we assist companies to remain above the compliance curve. Be it a manufacturer, importer or trader, we take you through the certification process of BIS step by step so that when the day of implementation comes, you are always all prepared.