Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has agreed to consider extending the implementation timeline of the quality control order (QCO) for electrical appliances. The decision follows a stakeholder consultation chaired by the minister on May 15, where several industry bodies flagged critical operational challenges around the rollout.
The QCO, titled Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances, was initially notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on September 20, 2024. It aims to ensure that only quality-certified appliances reach consumers. However, manufacturers have raised multiple concerns about readiness and practical implementation across the supply chain.
Phased rollout and clearer scope requested
At the consultation, the industry expressed broad support for the QCO’s objectives but requested that initial regulations focus on finished goods before extending to components and raw materials. This, they argued, would allow the ecosystem to transition smoothly given the complex nature of global sourcing and production.
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Specific demands included a phased rollout, better mapping of domestic manufacturing capacity, and the availability of relevant technology for compliance. Stakeholders also pointed to the ambiguity around coverage of battery-operated and DC-supplied appliances, lack of test labs and manuals, and insufficient time to secure BIS certification from both domestic and foreign suppliers.
DPIIT and BIS to strengthen testing and certification ecosystem
In response, Minister Goyal acknowledged the concerns and indicated willingness to consider both the deadline extension and issues related to legacy inventory. He also urged the industry to collaborate on establishing more public-funded testing labs using modern infrastructure, with facilities to be set up in PSUs and state institutions for pan-India accessibility.
The DPIIT is working closely with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to identify testing infrastructure gaps and streamline certification, with a particular focus on MSME affordability and sectoral readiness.
The consultation included participation from major industry associations, including CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, CEAMA, RAMA, ICEA, IFMA, SMTA, and BIS representatives.
