Supply of steel fasteners may be hit by quality norms

THE INDUSTRY MAY face a shortage of fasteners as no manufacturer—domestic or foreign—has been approved under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification process, which becomes mandatory for imports after March 20.

- FE BUREAU

The Quality Control Order (QCO) for fasteners, notified in September 2024, is set to take effect in phases: for large firms and imports from March 20, for small firms from June 20, and for micro firms from September 20.

"QCO mandates BIS certification for both domestic and foreign manufacturers. However, BIS has yet to approve any manufacturer under the QCO scheme, creating uncertainty and supply chain bottlenecks," according to a report by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

Steel fasteners, including screws, nuts, and bolts, are essential components across industries. While India produces standard fasteners, it relies on imports for high-end, specialized fasteners—which will become unavailable as no foreign manufacturer has obtained certification.