New Delhi, Jun 26 (KNN) The Centre has notified the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026, creating a time-bound framework that allows eligible companies to continue supplying products covered under notified Quality Control Orders (QCOs) while remaining within the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliance ecosystem.
Issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, the order came into effect on June 25 and will remain operational for five years unless extended by the Central Government.
Permission-Based Mechanism for Eligible Companies
The order applies to goods covered under notified QCOs and provides a permission-based mechanism under which manufacturers can obtain BIS licences for supplying products to companies granted approval under the new framework.
According to the notification, only companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 will be eligible to apply for permission.
Implementation Committee to Assess Applications
Applications will be evaluated by an Implementation Committee constituted by DPIIT based on factors including technical capability, quality assurance systems, compliance history, supply chain controls, research and development capabilities, and commitment to building domestic manufacturing capacity.
The committee will comprise representatives from DPIIT, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Commerce, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), among others.
BIS Surveillance and Compliance Monitoring Mandated
The order also mandates continued compliance with the applicable Indian Standards and provides for market surveillance by BIS, either directly or through authorised agencies, to verify product conformity.
The government may suspend, modify or withdraw permissions in cases of non-compliance, product failures or misrepresentation after providing an opportunity to be heard.
Applications under the scheme will be accepted for 24 months from the date of commencement, while detailed operational guidelines covering documentation, eligibility, compliance and monitoring will be issued separately by DPIIT.
Industry Sees Framework as Transition Mechanism
Industry observers described the new framework as a transition mechanism rather than a relaxation of quality standards. They said it provides temporary operational flexibility for companies that are progressing towards full compliance while maintaining oversight through BIS certification and regulatory monitoring.
The initiative is expected to facilitate a smoother implementation of Quality Control Orders, particularly for industries facing challenges in transitioning to mandatory BIS certification, while reinforcing the government’s broader objective of improving product quality and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.
(KNN Bureau)
2012-01-26
