Government postpones quality compliance dates for selected steel products

New Delhi: The Center has extended the quality compliance deadlines for selected steel products and industrial screws by up to three years, giving manufacturers time to align their manufacturing processes with mandatory quality standards.

The move is in line with the government’s broader drive to make business easier and reduce the industry’s compliance burden while maintaining product quality and safety standards. The decision follows NITI Aayog’s recommendation to rationalize quality control regulations and provide more flexibility to manufacturers. There are currently 713 quality control orders (QCOs) in practice.

In separate notifications issued late on Monday, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) allowed the steel ministry to extend the implementation dates under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Regulations, 2024 and the Cross Bolts (Quality Control) Regulations, 2025.

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Under the amendments, enforcement of BIS standards for mild steel used in metal arc welding electrodes and steel for die blocks used in die forging of the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Regulations 2024 has been delayed by three years from the date of publication of the notification.

Compliance requirements for stainless steel cookware plates and strips, stainless steel sheets, plates and strips, and low-nickel austenitic stainless steel sheets and strips used in cookware and kitchen appliances have been postponed until March 31, 2027.

The three screw categories that have been extended by three years are drywall screws, chipboard screws and countersunk wood screws and are used in construction, furniture making, interior fittings and woodworking applications.

The moratorium is likely to benefit exporters from countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan, which are among the major suppliers of steel products and industrial components to India.

According to Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) data, India’s exports of steel and steel raw materials rose to $20.7 billion in FY26 from $19.4 billion in FY25, while imports fell to $21.5 billion from $22.7 billion in the same period.

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The move is another example of the government relaxing implementation timelines following industry feedback. Manufacturers have in the past sought more time to obtain BIS licenses, upgrade testing and manufacturing facilities, and align manufacturing processes with prescribed Indian standards.

“Several user industries and SMEs faced challenges in sourcing BIS-compliant materials and adapting their manufacturing processes at an earlier date,” said Vinod Kumar, president of the India SME Forum, a body representing India’s small and medium-sized manufacturers. The additional time will help manufacturers align with the norms in a smoother manner while ensuring that supply chains remain uninterrupted, Kumar added.

QCOs mandate that specified products conform to relevant Indian standards and bear the BIS mark before they can be manufactured, imported, stored or sold in the country. Non-compliance may be sanctioned under the BIS Act 2016.

“Low-nickel austenitic stainless steel is vital to providing durable, safe and affordable kitchen solutions to Indian households,” said Ravi Saxena, founder and managing director of cookware company Wonderchef. “This extension provides the necessary path for manufacturers and suppliers to seamlessly realign backend operations, set up required test infrastructure, and upgrade ecosystems without disrupting production.”

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