The government establishes mandatory quality standards for drums, tin containers, and copper products

In an effort to decrease the import of substandard items and support homegrown manufacturing, the centre published mandatory quality standards for drums, tin containers, and copper products. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has published a report with two different notifications: the Copper Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, and the Drums and Tins (Quality Control) Order, 2023.

Strict guidelines will apply to the manufacture, distribution, trading, importation, and storage of goods coming within these orders' jurisdiction. To guarantee the required quality standards, these products must have the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark.

As per the report by DPIIT, the enforcement of these orders will commence six months from the date of their publication.

A wide range of industries, including telecommunications, electrical circuits, power production, power transmission, and appliances, depend heavily on copper and its alloys. Copper products must be pure and of the highest quality, and these standards are meant to protect and ensure their excellence.

These orders encompass nine different categories of copper products, such as wire rods for electrical applications, solid-drawn copper and copper tubes for heat exchangers and condensers, and wrought copper tubes for air conditioning and refrigeration. To protect the domestic small and micro industries, facilitate the seamless implementation of the Quality Control Orders (QCO), and promote ease of doing business, small and micro industries have been granted timeline relaxations. Specifically, small industries have been granted an extra three months, while micro-industries have been granted an additional six months.

Comparably, tins and drums are primarily employed for the transportation and storage of a variety of dangerous, combustible, and toxic materials. They are extensively employed in a variety of sectors, including food services, healthcare, and trash management.

Therefore, it is essential that tins and drums be of high quality to prevent adulteration, fire damage, and leaks of any kind. DPIIT, in consultation with BIS and stakeholders, has been identifying key products for notifying QCO. This has led to the initiation of the development of more than 60 new QCOs covering 318 product standards.

Violation of the provision of the BIS Act can attract imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of at least Rs. 2 lakh (US$ 2,405.44) for the first offense. If it happens next, the fine will increase to a minimum of Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 6,013.60) and extend up to 10 times the value of goods or articles.

Various initiatives, including the development of QCO, are being undertaken by the department to develop quality sensitisation among users and manufacturers alike. These initiatives, coupled with developing quality testing labs and product manuals, would help build a quality ecosystem in the country. 

In addition to preventing unfair trade practices and promoting consumer safety and well-being, mandatory QCOs also aid in reducing the import of subpar goods. These programmes would support the creation of a high-quality environment in the nation, as would the creation of testing labs, product manuals, and test lab accreditation.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.