{"id":85479,"date":"2026-09-24T18:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T12:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=85479"},"modified":"2026-09-24T18:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T12:38:51","slug":"quality-control-order-qco-reassessment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/24-09-2026\/quality-control-order-qco-reassessment","title":{"rendered":"Need for the Quality Control Order (QCO) Reassessment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance, GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To enable Indian firms to grow, integrate into global value chains and compete internationally, the<strong> Quality Control Order (QCO) reassessment exercise needs to move forward.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>QCOs are legal instruments issued under the <strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They make it mandatory for both domestic and imported products to conform to specified Indian Standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Products covered under QCOs cannot be sold in the Indian market without BIS certification, ensuring consumer safety, fair trade practices, and protection from substandard imports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bureau of Indian Standards is the National Standards Body of India under the <strong>Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food &amp; Public Distribution,<\/strong> Government of India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is established by the <strong>Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016<\/strong> which came into effect in <strong>2017.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquarters: <\/strong>New Delhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Functions:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Formulation of Indian Standards (IS)<\/strong> across many sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Product Certification Schemes<\/strong>, both voluntary and compulsory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release of Quality Control Orders (QCOs):<\/strong> Making compliance with certain Indian Standards mandatory for some products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The schemes operated by BIS are<\/strong>, Product Certification (ISI mark), Management Systems Certification, Hall Marking of Gold and Silver Jewellery\/Artefacts and Laboratory Services for the benefit of the industry and in turn aiming at consumer protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India&#8217;s Quality Ecosystem<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has over <strong>22,300 standards<\/strong>, with around<strong> 94%<\/strong> harmonised with international ISO and IEC standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India ranked <strong>10th<\/strong> in the <strong>Global Quality Infrastructure Index 2026<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than <strong>700 products<\/strong> are under mandatory quality certification, while hundreds more are covered under<strong> voluntary certification.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India&#8217;s quality ecosystem comprises;\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)<strong> <\/strong>for standard-setting,\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quality Council of India (QCI),\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL),\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB),\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Export Inspection Council (EIC),\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sectoral regulators such as FSSAI and CDSCO, conformity assessment and certification bodies, testing laboratories, and market surveillance mechanisms etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Existing Arrangements Are Inadequate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fragmented Institutional Framework:<\/strong> Responsibilities for standards, certification, regulation, accreditation, and enforcement are spread across multiple ministries and agencies.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lack of coordination<\/strong> creates regulatory overlaps and accountability gaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overlapping Roles of BIS: <\/strong>The Bureau of Indian Standards performs standard-setting, certification, and some regulatory functions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Such concentration of functions may <strong>create conflicts between promotion, certification, and enforcement roles.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak Market Surveillance:<\/strong> Regulations become ineffective if non-compliant products continue to circulate in markets.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Surveillance capacities remain uneven across states and sectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Export-Quality Challenges: <\/strong>Export quality regulation is fragmented among agencies such as Export Inspection Council, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, commodity boards, and other regulators.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promotion and regulation often coexist within the same institutions, creating potential conflicts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited International Recognition:<\/strong> Compliance with Indian standards does not automatically ensure acceptance in foreign markets.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indian certifications often require additional verification abroad, increasing export costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives Promoting Quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quality Control Orders (QCOs):<\/strong> Introduced to ensure that products meet prescribed quality and safety standards. It covers sectors such as steel, chemicals, electronics, footwear, and toys.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) Scheme:<\/strong> Encourages MSMEs to adopt quality manufacturing practices while minimising environmental impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme <\/strong>Supports domestic manufacturing while incentivising firms to achieve global quality benchmarks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Quality Mission:<\/strong> Promotes quality consciousness across industries and public institutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>One District One Product (ODOP): <\/strong>Encourages standardisation, branding, and quality enhancement of local products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Improve Testing Infrastructure:<\/strong> Expand accredited laboratories and certification facilities to strengthen quality assessment and compliance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Establish a National Authority on Quality:<\/strong> Create a dedicated apex body to provide a whole-of-government approach to quality governance by coordinating standards, certification, accreditation, regulation, and enforcement across sectors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Streamline Export Certification: <\/strong>Rationalise multiple export-certification agencies to reduce duplication and simplify compliance for exporters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Separate Key Functions:<\/strong> Standard-setting, certification, regulation, and enforcement should be handled independently to enhance transparency and accountability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhance Global Integration: <\/strong>Increase participation in international standard-setting bodies and pursue mutual recognition arrangements for Indian certifications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India&#8217;s next phase of quality reforms should move beyond merely increasing the number of standards and certifications.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The focus must shift toward building a <strong>credible, trusted, and internationally recognised quality governance system<\/strong> that supports consumer protection, export competitiveness, and the goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/quality-control-and-indias-manufacturing-growth\/article71500617.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\n<strong> <\/p>\n<p>Context<\/p>\n<p> <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>To enable Indian firms to grow, integrate into global value chains and compete internationally, the Quality Control Order (QCO) reassessment exercise needs to move forward.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>\n<strong> <\/p>\n<p>What are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?<\/p>\n<p><\/strong>\n<\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>QCOs are legal instruments issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>They make it mandatory for both domestic and imported products to conform to specified Indian Standards.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/24-09-2026\/quality-control-order-qco-reassessment\"   class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85479"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85481,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85479\/revisions\/85481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}