News Details

On February 12, 2026, India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), issued three notifications (S.O. 775(E), 776(E) and 777(E)) introducing conditional exemptions and amendments to various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

The exemptions under S.O. 775(E) and S.O. 776(E) apply to 26 QCOs listed in the notifications. These cover products such as aluminium and aluminium alloy products, electrical appliances, plywood and wood-based boards, copper products, footwear, laboratory glassware, and bottled water dispensers.

The objective of the measures is to ease compliance burdens for importers with existing contractual commitments and provide relief to small enterprises, while maintaining the overall quality enforcement regime.

Relief for Pre-Implementation Shipments

Under S.O. 775(E), imports of specified goods covered under various QCOs are exempt if:

•  The consignment was shipped before the date of implementation of the respective QCO; and
•  The Bill of Entry is filed within 180 days from the date of implementation.

Importers must submit copies of the Bill of Lading and Bill of Entry to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) within seven days of clearance.

Exemption Based on Prior Purchase Orders

Under S.O. 776(E), the government has granted exemption for goods where:

•  The purchase order was placed before the QCO implementation date; and
•  The Bill of Lading and Bill of Entry are dated within 180 days from the QCO’s commencement.

Importers must submit copies of the Purchase Order, Bill of Lading, and Bill of Entry, along with supporting documents, to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) within seven days of clearance.

MSME Exemption Introduced in Select QCOs

Under S.O. 777(E), amendments have been introduced to several QCOs covering products such as:

• Flame-Producing Lighters
• Potable Water Bottles
• Welding Rods and Electrodes
• Insulated Flasks and Containers
• Electric Ceiling Fans
• Laboratory Glassware
• Air Coolers and Air Filters
• Furniture

The amendment provides exemptions for manufacturers who are registered on the Udyam Portal of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, provided that:

• Investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed ₹1 crore; and
• Turnover does not exceed ₹5 crore in the previous financial year, as certified by a Chartered Accountant.