Govt Withdraws 14 BIS Quality Control Orders to Ease Burden on Industries: What It Means For MSMEs

The Government of India has withdrawn 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued earlier by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This is a landmark issue that will ease compliance pressure, cut costs, and improve the availability of essential raw materials for thousands of industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The Reason Behind the 14 QCOs Withdrawl

The withdrawn orders mainly focused on intermediate industrial products, including specific polymers, fibres, and chemicals that form the backbone of several manufacturing sectors. Since these are not finished consumer goods, the government decided that imposing compulsory BIS certification was adding unnecessary issues.

After removing the mandatory BIS certification for these materials, the government expects the entire manufacturing ecosystem to function more smoothly. Raw materials can now be imported and procured much faster, which directly reduces production delays and lowers overall manufacturing costs. For MSMEs, this means fewer compliance hurdles and quicker turnaround times, ultimately improving the ease of doing business across the country. It is also expected to support faster production cycles, boost supply chain efficiency, and give Indian industries a much-needed competitive edge in both domestic and global markets.

BIS Will Continue Strict Oversight on Finished Goods

While the 14 QCOs for intermediate goods have been removed, BIS continues to enforce mandatory certification on finished products to ensure consumer safety, environmental protection anlong with Quality reliability and the prevention of misuse of counterfeit products.

What is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)?

The Bureau of Indian Standards is India's national authority for standardisation and quality control operating under the BIS Act, 2016. It is headquartered in New Delhi and has 5 regional offices and 36 branch offices across India.
BIS performs major functions like setting Indian standards, issuing QCOs, granting certification and licensing, inspecting factories, etc. BIS issues Quality Control Orders for products where compulsory certification is needed to ensure safety and prevent poor-quality or unfair trade practices. Over 187 QCOs are currently active, covering 769 products across sectors. Certification is identified through the ISI mark on products, which means that it complies with Indian Standards.