Background and Purpose of the Order
The BIS certification for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products QCO, 2023, is based on Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. This section gives the government the right to set quality standards for the public good.
After talking to BIS, it was announced that there is an urgent need to address the issue of inferior aluminum goods that can affect safety, durability, and performance. For instance, faulty irrigation tubing might let farmers down, while foil of low quality could make medications unsafe.
India’s aluminum market is worth more than $8 billion and is increasing at a rate of 8–10% per year. It needs strong control to safeguard consumers and compete on the world stage.
The law has three aims: to keep goods safe, to avoid inferior imports, and to make India a better country to be seen producing. It is in line with the “Make in India” policy, which is meant to make Indian aluminum products competitive on the export market while keeping India away from inexpensive, unregulated imports from China, among other places.
It also favors the environment since quality aluminum is recyclable, as per India’s green initiatives.
Key Functions of the Aluminium and Aluminum Alloy QCO:-
There are four elements self-explanatory to the Aluminium QCO:
- Short Title and Commencement: The BIS certification for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products QCO, 2023, shall come into force six months from the date of its publicatione., March 27, 2024. Companies will get time to prepare themselves. Small enterprises have six months from 27th June, 2024, while micro enterprises have six months from 27th September, 2024.
- Compulsory use of standard mark: Under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, products to be covered will need to meet some IS codes and display the BIS Standard Mark. This includes putting it through a lot of tests to check its strength, corrosion resistance, etc.
- BIS is the only organization that can give out licenses, do audits, and keep an eye on the market.
- Penalties for Violating: Under the BIS Act, violators can be fined up to ₹2 lakh for their first violation, ₹5 lakh and/or two years in prison for their second offense, and their products may be seized.
Aluminum Products That Are Covered
The order is for 15 particular aluminum and aluminum alloy items, each with its own IS code. These include important uses including irrigation, electrical work, and packaging for drugs. Here is a full table:
BIS has said that the most recent IS versions, including changes, are in effect. These standards include regulations for the material’s composition, mechanical qualities, and use.
Dates and Timelines
The order shall be effective from March 27, 2024, i.e., six months from the date of publication. Small units (according to the MSME Act, 2006) have six months, until June 27, 2024, and micro units until September 27, 2024. This stepwise strategy takes into account the fact that lesser players have limited resources, which are characterized as:
- Micro: You may invest up to ₹1 crore and make up to ₹5 crore in sales.
- Small: up to ₹10 crore in investments and up to ₹50 crore in sales
Who has been given Exemptions?
The QCO gives real-life exemptions:
- Exports: Aluminum goods created domestically have been given exemptions so that they can do their international trade easily.
- Micro businesses receive 12 months, and small businesses get 9 months, so they don’t have to pay a lot of money right away to comply.
- Imports: There are no particular exemptions for imports unless they are for re-export. This means that foreign suppliers must follow BIS’s Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS).
These rules strike a compromise between making sure quality is upheld and making sure everyone may participate in the economy.
Process of Compliance and Certification
Compliance requires BIS certification:
- You should check the IS code (e.g., IS 737:2008 for sheets) to get an understanding for the test parameters.
- You should deliver applicaton on the BIS main website. This is with the details of the product and the various samples.
- Lab Testing: You will need to get your samples tested at labs that are approved by BIS and it will cost you around 50,000 to 2 lakh rupees.
- Factory Audit: The BIS checks that the processes are the same at all production sites.
- License Grant: People who apply successfully acquire a license to use the BIS mark for one to two years.
Importers employ FMCS, which includes audits from other countries that might cost ₹2–5 lakh. The amount of production affects the annual fees. Experts in the field say that businesses should set aside ₹1–3 lakh for testing and costs up front.
Punishments for Not Following
Not following the rules leads to difficulties. Fines of up to ₹2 lakh are given for first infractions under the BIS Act. If you break the law again, you might get a fine of ₹5 lakh, two years in prison, or both.
BIS can take stock that isn’t compliant or tell stores to cease selling it. In the past, QCOs for toys witnessed port seizures. Expect the same kind of action now.
Benefits For Everyone
Customers get items that are safer and more dependable. Pharma foils won’t get pharmaceuticals dirty, and certified irrigation tubing won’t leak. Aluminum can be recycled, which saves 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminum. This helps the environment
For businesses, BIS accreditation makes them more trustworthy, which lets them charge more and bid on government contracts. It stops low-quality imports, which protects India’s $8 billion aluminum industry, which employs more than 800,000 people. When certified goods satisfy global standards, the opportunity for exports improves
Challenges they will Likely Face
High testing costs are a problem, especially for MSMEs, who may have to pay ₹5–10 lakh for several items. There may be delays because there are only 150+ recognized BIS laboratories in the country. Rural manufacturers don’t know enough about this, thus they require outreach.
If raw aluminum doesn’t match IS criteria, there might be problems in the supply chain. It’s hard to enforce in India’s fragmented market since there is a possibility of counterfeits. The Aluminium Association of India and other industry groups are asking for training and subsidies.
How to Get Ready for Compliance
Act Early:
- Audit Products: Check for gaps in composition or design by comparing them to IS codes.
- Improve your facilities by spending money on quality control tools like spectrometry to check the purity of alloys.
- Costs for the budget: Set aside ₹1–5 lakh for each product’s certification.
- Get support from Experts: Call a consultant or the BIS helpdesk for support.
- Check the BIS website for updates on Monitor Standards.
Importers: Start FMCS right away because audits take time. Training employees on quality standards stops audits from failing.
It is a rule that certain aluminum goods must fulfill IS criteria and have the BIS Standard Mark to make sure they are safe and of good quality.
Fifteen products, such as irrigation tubes, EC-grade rods, sheets, foils, and aerospace forgings (see table above).
For small firms, the deadline is June 27, 2024; for micro businesses, it is September 27, 2024.
Companies that make, import, or sell goods in India. No taxes on exports.
Small businesses have nine months, while micro businesses have twelve months. No complete exemptions.
Final Words
The BIS Certification for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products QCO, 2023, is highly crucial for India’s aluminium sector. It makes products safer, ensures there is equal competition, and business is world-famous by establishing high standards.
There are expenses and problems in guaranteeing compliance, but pre-emptiveness would make this a blessing in disguise. Companies: Move now to remain ahead. Customers: Look for the BIS mark.
This deal sets the stage for a stronger, more sustainable future because the appetite for aluminum in India is increasing rapidly. For additional information, go to the UMPCS website and talk to industry specialists.
