Government comes up with mandatory quality norms for copper products, drums, tin containers

23 Oct 2023 Evaluate

In order to reduce imports of the sub-standard goods and increase domestic production of copper products, drums and tin containers, the government has introduced mandatory quality norms for these goods. Two separate notifications - Drums and Tins (Quality Control) Order, 2023; and Copper Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023 - in this regard were issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on October 20, 2023.

The items under these quality control orders (QCO) are not permitted to be produced, sold, traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. These orders will come into force with effect from six months from the date of publication of this notification. In order to safeguard the domestic small/micro industries, ensure smooth implementation of the QCO and Ease of Doing Business, relaxations have been granted to small/micro industries as regards to timelines, additional three months have been given to small industries and an additional six months to micro industries 

The nine copper products covered under this order include wire rods for electrical applications; solid drawn copper and copper tubes for condensers and heat exchangers; and wrought copper tubes for refrigeration and air-conditioning purposes. Violation of the provision of the BIS Act can attract imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offence. In case of second and subsequent offences, the fine will increase to a minimum of Rs 5 lakh and extend up to 10 times of the value of goods or articles.

The goal of notifying the QCOs is to reduce imports of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices, and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers, as well as the environment. These initiatives, coupled with the development of testing labs, product manuals, and accreditation of test labs would aid the development of a quality ecosystem in the country.

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