DPIIT Notifies Quality Control Order For Cast Iron Products, Solar DC Cables, And Fire Survival Cables

The newly instituted Cast Iron Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023 encompasses a spectrum of standards associated with diverse cast iron products, ranging from manhole covers and cast iron pipes to malleable iron fittings and grey iron castings. The formulation of these standards was guided by extensive consultations with key industry associations and industry stakeholders, underpinning the Ministry's commitment to ensuring high-quality standards.

Before the notification of the QCO, the draft orders underwent meticulous scrutiny, receiving approval from the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry. The next phase involved legal vetting by the Department of Legislative Affairs, ensuring adherence to legal frameworks. To foster international cooperation and garner varied perspectives, the QCOs were made accessible on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) platform for a period of 60 days, inviting feedback from member countries.

To facilitate the smooth assimilation of the QCO and promote a conducive business environment, concessions have been extended to small and micro industries in terms of timelines. These measures have been designed to uphold the interests of domestic small and micro industries while ensuring the efficacy of the QCO.

The provisions of the Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023, and the Cast Iron Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, unequivocally mandate that items falling under these categories cannot be manufactured, sold, traded, imported, or stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering product quality and consumer trust.

The Cast Iron Products (Quality Control) Order extends its purview to include electric cables designed for photovoltaic systems. These cables, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, exhibit remarkable mechanical strength and resilience in extreme weather conditions, ensuring optimal performance.

Furthermore, the Fire Survival Cable, an integral component in high-temperature environments, is engineered to withstand direct fire exposure for a defined duration. This type of cable finds essential application in critical infrastructures such as nuclear power plants, airports, metro rails, refineries, high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and cinemas, offering enhanced safety measures.

It is imperative to note that the directives outlined in this order are not applicable to domestically manufactured goods intended exclusively for export.

For small enterprises, as defined by section 2 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, the order will come into force nine months from the date of publication. In relation to micro enterprises, a period of twelve months from the date of publication is designated for the order's implementation.

To administer and enforce these regulations, the Bureau of Indian Standards has been appointed as the certifying and overseeing authority for the specified goods and articles outlined in the order.