1st October 2026 is an important compliance date for manufacturers of aluminium utensils. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has notified Wrought Aluminium Utensils under the Cookware, Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2026. The notified product is certified to IS 1660:2024, and BIS is the certification and enforcement body.
This implies that manufacturers subject to the Order must prepare for BIS certification rather than wait till the cut-off. The QCO has various compliance dates, with extended dates for small and micro enterprises.
The implications of the new requirement, the applicable standard, who must comply, the implementation schedule, the BIS Certification for Wrought Aluminium Utensils process, and what manufacturers should do before the deadline are all covered in this guide. and how UMSPCS will assist you during the certification process.
What Is the New BIS Requirement for Wrought Aluminium Utensils?
To comply with the Cookware, Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2026, Wrought Aluminium Utensils must meet IS 1660:2024 and must be present with the BIS Standard Mark from the effective date of the Order as per a valid BIS licence.
The QCO is established as IS 1660:2024 for wrought aluminium utensils for which BIS is identified as the Certification and Enforcement Authority.
The framework of the certification is in accordance with the relevant BIS conformity assessment provisions, and manufacturers are advised to go through the certification procedure in advance of its coming into force.
When Will BIS Certification Become Mandatory?
The implementation takes place in phases depending on the size of the enterprise:
These dates are specifically provided in the 2026 QCO.
Therefore, manufacturers should determine their enterprise class and its deadline rather than having to assume the same applies to all enterprises.
What is IS 1660:2024?
IS 1660:2024 is the updated Indian Standard relating to the Wrought and Cast Aluminium Utensils Specification. The standard applies to wrought and cast aluminium utensils, according to BIS’s Product Manual.
The standard covers requirements within the fields of materials, construction, dimensions, thickness, fabrication, workmanship, and any other applicable product characteristics.
The BIS Product Manual also outlines a scope of certification for various types of products, classifications, sizes, and coating types.
These include:
- Wrought aluminium utensils
- Cast aluminium utensils
- Compartmental trays
- Lunch boxes
- Thick-bottom utensils
- Utensils made from aluminium, without the shapes and dimensions specified.
- Light, medium and heavy are classified.
- Plain, anodic, hard anodic and non-stick coatings
Note: Wrought Aluminium Utensils are mentioned in the QCO, whereas the wider BIS Product Manual IS 1660:2024 includes both wrought and cast aluminium utensils. Manufacturers are therefore encouraged to determine the accuracy of the product and the scope for certification before applying.
Why Is BIS Certification Important for Aluminium Utensils?
Cooking utensils made from aluminium are frequently employed in the preparation of food. The properties of the material, the thickness, construction, finishing, and performance attributes of the utensil directly affect its reliability.
IS 1660:2024 defines requirements that the manufacturer is required to comply with for products in the scope of the standard.
For businesses, BIS certification can help them:
- Fulfil QCO requirements
- Show compliance with the applicable Indian Standard.
- Implement uniform manufacturing and quality-control procedures.
- Gain trust from retailers & customers.
- Continue to supply the Indian market post the applicable date.
- Follow BIS Standard Mark subject to licence conditions.
It is not only about getting the certificate; manufacturers need to ensure they remain conformant after certification.
Who Needs to Comply With the New Requirement?
The QCO is significant for manufacturers of covered wrought Aluminium Utensils for the Indian market.
Businesses that should assess their applicability include:
- They are manufacturers of Aluminium Utensils in India.
- Manufacturers who provide aluminium cookware and utensils.
- Manufacturers with their own brands.
- Relationships with OEMs and contract manufacturing relationships
- Importers of covered products
- Foreign manufacturers who supply the applicable products to India
Applicability should always be determined from the exact product, manufacturing arrangement, and conditions of the QCO and not just the word ‘aluminium’ in the product description.
What Products Can Fall Under IS 1660:2024?
The BIS Product Manual sets out the scope of the Licence. Manufacturers can have different product categories depending on their manufacturing process, utensil type, classification, size and coating.
An example of the scope is:
By product type:
- Wrought aluminium utensils
- Cast aluminium utensils
By utensil type:
- General utensils
- Compartmental trays
- Lunch boxes
- Thick-bottom utensils
- Other aluminium utensils covered by the standard
By classification:
- Light
- Medium
- Heavy
By coating:
- Plain
- Hard anodic
- Anodic
- Non-stick
This grouping of products is significant because manufacturers with several models may need to decide which products can be included in the scope of the applicable certification.
What are the Testing Requirements as per IS 1660:2024?
Testing is an important part of BIS certification. Requirements vary depending on the type and the features of the utensil.
BIS laboratory information for IS 1660:2024 includes testing for areas such as:
- Minimum sheet thickness
- Bottom thickness
- The thickness of the wall and cover.
- Material
- Cast cookware
- Aluminium components
- Lid material and thickness
- Fabrication
- Workmanship
- Coating-related characteristics
- Other applicable product requirements
The BIS Product Manual also offers sampling/Grouping information for certificate purposes. Manufacturers, therefore, need to choose and prepare samples in accordance with the certification requirements as appropriate and not just arbitrary products for testing.
What Is the BIS Certification Process for Wrought Aluminium Utensils?
The certification process should be commenced well in advance of the implementation date so as not to delay product approval and market access for manufacturers. The typical steps in the BIS Certification for the Wrought Aluminium Utensils process are:
The following is a streamlined process:
Indian Manufacturers’ Process (ISI Mark Licence)
Submission of the Application
Make sure your application on the BIS Portal, which is accessible from the Manak Portal, includes all of your company’s and product details. Add any other documents you may have.
Testing of Product Samples
The BIS gives you instructions on how to send the product samples to a BIS-approved laboratory. The samples are examined for jaw strength, dimensions, material composition, and other factors in accordance with IS 2028:2004 standards.
Audit of the Factory
A BIS representative will visit your factory to examine, among other things, your manufacturing process, quality control, and testing apparatus.
Granting Permission
When your product passes testing and your factory satisfies BIS requirements, the BIS issues an ISI Mark licence based on another CM/L number.
Marking and Sale
With the ISI Mark, you can now start legally selling and marking pipe wrenches in India.
Factory audits and testing of market samples
The BIS conducts regular factory visits and random testing of market samples. Continuous compliance is ensured by licence renewals.
For Importers (Certification Programme for Foreign Manufacturers)
Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) Appointment
For future interactions with BIS, foreign businesses are anticipated to designate an AIR in India.
Filing an Application
Applications have to be filed through the BIS FMCS App on the basis of product data, company documents, and factory data.
Testing of Samples of the Products
Samples of the products are subjected to testing in labs authorised by BIS in India or abroad.
Inspection of Foreign Manufacturing Unit
Pre-inspection of the foreign manufacturing units is carried out by BIS before granting the licence.
Grant of License
A licence for importing and selling the products in India is issued.
Also get to know more information visit BIS Certificate for Foreign Manufacture.
Documents Required During Wrought Aluminium Utensils
When applying for BIS Certification for Combination Side Cutting Pliers, you are required to upload the following documents, which are as follows:
For Indian Manufacturers
- Business Registration Certificate
- Certificate of GST Registration
- Factory layout and proof of address
- The manufacturing process and the flowchart
- Internal testing apparatus and facilities
- Technical specifications and drawings that adhere to IS 2028:2004
- Test findings from the laboratory accredited by BIS/NABL
- Internal testing protocol and quality assurance strategy
- Authorisation letter
For Importers / Foreign Manufacturers
- Documents of legal entities and company registration from the country of origin
- A letter of authorisation designating an Indian representative (AIR)
- Product drawings and technical specifications
- Examples of test reports
- Information about the manufacturing and quality control documents
- The IEC Code and import-export documents
- Proof of ownership of a brand or trademark
- Documents from the country of origin of businesses and legal entities
- A letter of authorisation designating an Indian representative (AIR)
- Product drawings and technical specifications
- Examples of test reports
- Information about the manufacturing and quality control documents
- The IEC Code and import-export documents
- Proof of ownership of a brand or trademark
What Should Manufacturers Do Before 1 October 2026?
The manufacturers that come under the first date for implementation should not delay their preparation up to September 2026.
A practical compliance plan has the following parts:
- Check out the full list of aluminium utensil products.
- Determine products included in the QCO.
- Learn the relevant clauses of IS 1660:2024.
- Decide on the scope of grouping and certification.
- Check raw materials and manufacturing process.
- Check available testing facilities.
- Organise needed product testing.
- Create technical and quality-control papers.
- Preparing the factory for BIS assessment.
- Get involved in BIS early.
Product group and testing requirements may call for more planning for manufacturers who have more than one product or coating.
What Happens If Manufacturers Do Not Comply?
Covered products are required to meet the QCO requirements once the date for implementation is reached.
Manufacturers should not presume that a product is compliant because it has been registered for BIS. The necessary certification must be obtained following the relevant documentation.
Failure to prepare in time can lead to:
- Time lag in market supply
- Issues related to product launches and rollouts.
- Regulatory action
- Disruption to manufacturing or imports
- Difficulty supplying buyers who require compliant products
Hence, a completed date of compliance should be considered as a deadline, rather than a starting date for the certification process, for businesses.
How UMSPCS Helps With BIS Certification
BIS certification is a multi-stage process, ranging from product evaluation and testing to product documentation, product application and factory assessment.
UMSPCS can help manufacturers with:
- Product applicability assessment
- IS 1660:2024 requirement review
- Product grouping guidance
- Documentation preparation
- Laboratory coordination
- Product testing support
- BIS application filing
- Factory inspection preparation
- BIS query management
- Post-certification compliance support
We guide manufacturers through the certification process and systematically work through the application. With over 600 successful BIS certifications under their belts and more than six years of experience in regulatory compliance, our professionals help manufacturers confidently and effectively obtain BIS certification.
Conclusion
Notification issued by DPIIT with regard to Wrought Aluminium Utensils under IS 1660:2024 is a major notification of compliance issued by the industry that produces and supplies the notified product in India.
Implementation dates for other industries are as follows: 1st October 2026 for general enterprises, 1st January 2027 for small enterprises, and 1st April 2027 for micro enterprises.
During this period of transition, manufacturers need to test their products with respect to the requirements of IS 1660:2024 and apply for BIS certification. The main thing to remember: never wait till the QCO to begin preparing for BIS certification.
Getting BIS certification for Wrought Aluminium Utensils?
UMSPCS can support you in the assessment, testing, documentation, BIS application filing and factory assessment support of the products falling under IS 1660:2024.
Read more also: Manak Online (BIS Portal) Guide: Registration, Login, & Documents
FAQs
- What standard applies to Wrought Aluminium Utensils?
IS 1660:2024 is the applicable standard for Wrought Aluminium Utensils as mentioned in QCO.
- What is the effective date of the BIS requirement?
The implementation date for general enterprises is 1st October 2026.
- Are there extra days provided for SMEs?
Yes, for small enterprises it is 1 January 2027, and for micro enterprises it is 1 April 2027.
- Does IS 1660:2024 cover cast aluminium utensils?
Yes, the BIS Product Manual for IS 1660:2024 includes both wrought and cast aluminum Utensils.
- What types of utensils are covered by the BIS Product Manual?
This is to include utensils, compartmental trays, lunch boxes, heavy-bottom utensils and other specified categories of aluminum utensils.
- Is it possible to get aluminium utensils certified by UMSPCS?
Yes, UMSPCS can help with applicability assessment, documentation, testing, and BIS application filing and support with factory assessment.
❓ Ask a Question
Have any doubts? Fill the form below and our team will respond shortly.
