Comply with QCO 2024: BIS Certification for Steel & Steel Products
Steel Products Now Under Mandatory BIS Certification for Steel in QCO 2024
Attention Steel Manufacturers, Importers & OEMs! The Ministry of Steel has officially notified the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control Order) QCO 2024 under the BIS Act on 30th August. This order makes BIS Certification for Steel mandatory for a wide range of products, including various steel grades, rolled products, structural steel, pipes, and fittings.
What Manufacturers & Importers Must Do
- All domestic and imported steel products covered under QCO 2024 must bear the BIS Standard Mark and be accompanied by a valid test certificate from a licensed manufacturer.
- The effective date of enforcement for most products was immediate upon notification (29 August 2024). Certain items, such as ferro-chromium, ferro-manganese, and silico-manganese steels, have a six-month deferment, while specific bearing steels have a three-month deferment.
- Non-compliance may result in confiscation of goods, heavy fines, and potential prosecution under the BIS Act or the Customs Act (for imported items).
Coverage Under the Steel QCO 2024
Schedule I: Primary Steel Products (145 items) Covered Under BIS Certification for Steel
These primary steel products must carry the BIS Standard Mark (ISI) and a valid test certificate. Covered items under QCO 2024 include a wide range of carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and electrical steel forms, such as:
- Rolled flat products: Hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheets, plates, and strips
- Wire rods and bars: Including deformed bars for concrete reinforcement
- Slabs, blooms, billets, and forgings
- Electrical steels: Grain-oriented and non-oriented sheets/strips (IS 3024, 648, 16585, etc.)
- Special steels: Heat-treated bearing steels, weather-resistant structural steels, high-strength flat-rolled steels
- Steels for industrial use: Springs, chains, valves, rivets, fasteners, cold-heading
- Consumer and industrial components: Steel for utensils, welded chains, pressure vessel components, and more.
Schedule II: Manufactured/Composite Steel Items (7 items)
These items, made from steel or tinplate, must conform to specified Indian Standards and be certified:
| Product Category | Applicable Standard(s) |
| Transformer cores, stampings, laminations | Electrical steel per IS 3024:2015, IS 648:2006, IS 16585:2016 |
| Stainless steel pipes & tubes | Relevant BIS standards for stainless grades |
| Containers (tanks, casks, drums, cans – 50–300 L) | Per relevant BIS specs |
| Containers under 50 L sealed by solder/crimp | Tinplate or tin-free steel standard |
| Seals, caps, lids, threaded bungs (tinplate/tin-free steel) | BIS compliance required |
| Sign-plates, name-plates, address-plates (tinplate steel) | BIS-standard metal sheets |
| Primary cells & battery parts | BIS-specified steel/tinplate parts |
Recommended Next Steps for BIS Certification of Steel under QCO 2024
- Identify Applicable Products: Determine which Schedule I or Schedule II items under QCO 2024 apply to your manufacturing or import lineup.
- Verify Relevant Standards: Cross-check the current Indian Standards (IS) listed in the QCO 2024 gazette, including the latest amendments.
- Initiate BIS Licensing: Apply for BIS Certification for Steel under Scheme-I or the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) if you plan to supply or import covered products.
- Prepare Labels and Certificates: Ensure that all products bear the BIS Standard Mark and are accompanied by valid test certificates before shipping or selling in India.
- Maintain Compliance Records: Keep detailed records of certifications, test reports, and documentation for audits and future compliance verification.
Avoid production delays and clearance issues initiate your BIS Certification for Steel process under QCO 2024 today!