India May Tweak Quality Control Rules That Riled US

Potential policy shift could involve a review of India's quality control orders

- Dhirendra Kumar

NEW DELHI: India is considering tweaking some of the import quality rules that the US has flagged as major non-tariff barriers as New Delhi negotiates a trade deal with Washington to lower 26% reciprocal tariffs, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The potential policy shift could involve a review of India's Quality Control Orders (QCOs)—a suite of regulations that require both domestic and foreign manufacturers to meet standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). These rules have become a flashpoint in trade talks, with the US arguing they unfairly restrict market access for American companies.

Indian negotiators have, in return, sought relaxations from the US on stringent compliance norms for Indian goods to help facilitate a mutually beneficial trade deal, the people said on the condition of anonymity.