Quality Control Orders: A Critical Instrument for India's Manufacturing Future

Advanced manufacturing economies like Germany and Japan have long maintained rigorous quality standards supported by robust institutional frameworks. Time has come for India to follow suit by expanding BIS-accredited laboratories, streamlining certification procedures, recognizing foreign standards through mutual recognition agreements, and adopting phased implementation timelines to ease transition pressures

- K SKANDAN

India stands at a pivotal moment in its industrial production evolution. It stands at a crossroads to redefine itself not just as a supplier of low-cost raw materials but as a trusted source of high-quality industrial components.

Achieving this shift requires more than just competitive pricing; it requires adherence to robust quality standards embedded in the policy frameworks for the products. The Quality Control Orders (QCOs) therefore emerge as a critical instrument to elevate India's manufacturing credibility and integrate deeper into global value chains.

QCOs, issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, mandate that notified products meet Indian standards before they can be manufactured, sold, or imported.

Importantly, these regulations apply uniformly to domestic and foreign suppliers and align with the WTO's Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement. This ensures that QCOs are not trade protectionist measures but strategic enablers that enhance India's reputation as a reliable producer and consumer of quality goods.

Many of the products covered by QCOs may seem like basic commodities but are, in fact, vital strategic inputs where quality is crucial.

Take sulphuric acid, for example. While this is a widely used industrial chemical and generally has a low cost per unit, its purity and concentration directly affect industries such as fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

Poor quality sulphuric acid can damage equipment, lower product quality, and cause environmental harm. QCOs on such chemicals ensure that Indian producers meet stringent but necessary standards, enabling them to compete globally, especially in markets like the EU, where REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations apply.