The Union government is relaxing the quality control regulation rules for several sectors for five years

According to an official notification, the relaxation would apply to QCOs for toys, personal protective footwear, air conditioners, rubber footwear, electric water heaters, washing machines, hinges, furniture and electrical safety equipment. (File photo is for representational purposes only) | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Union government has eased the most stringent aspects of the quality control orders (QCOs) it has adopted for various industries, allowing manufacturers to use an alternative mechanism to switch to the stricter version over five years.

Since 2020, the government has been issuing QCOs in an effort to improve quality standards of Indian manufacturing and protect consumer interests. However, these standards have met with considerable opposition from domestic manufacturers who have said the compliance process is long and paperwork is cumbersome.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s latest notification, titled the Ease of Transition (Quality Control) Regulations 2026, “implements an alternative risk-based compliance mechanism to facilitate a smooth transition for industry while maintaining quality assurance and consumer protection,” the department said in a release.

In principle, the notification allows selected domestic companies to procure supplies from manufacturers who hold licenses under the less stringent Schedule II of Schedule II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations instead of the more stringent Schedule I.

Scheme II allows manufacturers to supply products based on self-declaration of conformity to Indian Standards, while Scheme I requires factory inspections, surveillance and ISI Mark licensing by BIS.

According to an official notification, this relaxation would apply to QCOs in toys, personal protective footwear, air conditioners, rubber footwear, electric water heaters, washing machines, hinges, furniture and electrical safety equipment.

“Permissions under the mechanism will be granted based on technical capability, demonstrated history of compliance and commitment to technological advancement or adoption, development of design and research capacity, innovation and strengthening of domestic supply chain capabilities,” the Commerce Department said in a report.

“The regulation also extends its benefits to manufacturers who have demonstrated consistent compliance with QCO requirements over a continuous period of three years without any failure,” he added. “The provision recognizes continued compliance with quality requirements and encourages continued compliance with prescribed standards.”

To be eligible for this benefit, companies would have to be registered under the Companies Act, 2013 and would have to qualify as per the risk assessment conducted by the Implementation Committee set up for the purpose.

The committee will consist of officials from the Ministry of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade and Bureau of Indian Standards.

“This order shall remain in force for a period of five years from the date of its commencement and shall thereafter be repealed unless extended by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette,” the official order said.

Published – 26 Jun 2026 12:08 IST