A Quality Control Order (QCO) is a government notification that makes compliance with a specified Indian Standard (IS) legally mandatory for a product category. QCOs are India's primary tool for removing substandard and unsafe products from the market. As of 2026, over 500 product categories are covered by QCOs — and the list is growing rapidly. Understanding QCOs is essential for any manufacturer, importer, or distributor selling products in India.
What is a Quality Control Order?
A QCO is issued by a Central Government ministry under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and the Essential Commodities Act. It specifies one or more Indian Standards that a product must conform to, and mandates that the product carry the appropriate BIS certification mark (typically ISI Mark for manufactured goods, or CRS registration for electronics) before it can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India.
QCOs are published in the Gazette of India and have a gazette notification number. They typically specify an effective date — sometimes different for domestic manufacturers (who may get a longer grace period) and importers.
- ›Selling a QCO-covered product without BIS certification is a cognisable offence under the BIS Act, 2016
- ›Penalties include fines up to ₹5 lakh for first offence, ₹10 lakh for repeat offences, and up to 2 years imprisonment
- ›Customs authorities check for BIS certification during import clearance for QCO-covered products
- ›E-commerce platforms are prohibited from listing uncertified QCO-covered products
Who Issues QCOs?
QCOs are issued by various Central Government ministries depending on the product category. Each ministry oversees QCOs for products within its mandate.
- ›Ministry of Commerce and Industry — steel, cement, fertilisers, chemicals
- ›Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) — electronics, IT goods (CRS scheme)
- ›Ministry of Consumer Affairs — food-contact materials, household goods, LPG equipment
- ›Ministry of Textiles — textile products, wool, jute
- ›Ministry of Heavy Industries — automotive components, machinery
- ›Ministry of Chemicals and Petrochemicals — chemical products, plastics
- ›Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — solar panels, inverters
- ›Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas — LPG cylinders, pressure equipment
Major QCO Categories in 2026
The pace of new QCOs has accelerated significantly since 2021. Below are some of the most commercially significant QCO categories in force or recently notified:
- ›Steel products — HR/CR sheets, galvanised sheets, TMT bars, wire rods, tubes (multiple QCOs)
- ›Electrical household appliances — Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances QCO, 2026 covers 90 categories (effective October 1, 2026)
- ›Electronics/IT products — Mobile phones, laptops, LED lights, power banks, chargers (CRS scheme)
- ›Helmets — motorcycle and bicycle helmets (ISI Mark mandatory)
- ›Toys — all toys for children under 14 (ISI Mark mandatory)
- ›Cement — Portland cement and blended cements
- ›Transformers and LT switchgear
- ›Solar photovoltaic modules
- ›Domestic pressure cookers
- ›Footwear (safety footwear for industrial use)
How to Check if Your Product is Under a QCO
There are three reliable ways to check QCO coverage:
- ›1. BIS official portal (bis.gov.in) — Browse quality control orders by ministry or search by product category
- ›2. Complyr's QCO Tracker (/resources/qco-tracker) — Updated list of active QCOs with effective dates and applicable IS numbers
- ›3. Contact Complyr — Share your product name, HS code, and intended market (domestic/import); we will confirm QCO status and the applicable IS within 24 hours
Exemptions and Special Cases
QCOs typically include specific exemptions. Understanding these can affect your compliance obligations.
- ›Export goods — products manufactured solely for export are generally exempt from QCO requirements
- ›R&D imports — small quantities imported for research and development purposes (typically up to 200 units per year) are often exempt
- ›Government procurement for strategic use — some QCOs exempt defence and strategic sector purchases
- ›MSME grace periods — new QCOs often give micro and small enterprises an extended compliance deadline (typically 6–12 months beyond the main effective date)
- ›Goods in transit — goods that were shipped before the QCO effective date may be cleared under the old rules
What Happens When a New QCO Affects Your Product
If a newly notified QCO covers a product you manufacture or import, here is the recommended action sequence:
- ›1. Confirm the QCO effective date and whether your product/HS code falls within scope
- ›2. Identify the applicable IS number(s)
- ›3. For domestic manufacturers — begin ISI Mark application immediately; the certification process takes 10–18 weeks minimum
- ›4. For foreign manufacturers — begin FMCS application immediately; plan for 9–12 months
- ›5. For importers of foreign goods — coordinate with your overseas supplier to begin FMCS; consider alternative certified suppliers as a bridge
- ›6. Do not import or sell uncertified products after the effective date — penalties and customs holds apply
Key Takeaways
- ✓A QCO makes BIS certification legally mandatory for a product category — selling without it is a criminal offence
- ✓Over 500 product categories are covered as of 2026, with new QCOs being issued regularly
- ✓Check QCO coverage early — the certification process takes months, not days
- ✓Domestic manufacturers need ISI Mark; foreign manufacturers need FMCS; electronics typically need CRS
- ✓Exemptions exist for exports, R&D imports, and MSME grace periods — but they are specific and must be confirmed
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