The Indian government is preparing to bring steel pipes, tubes, and fittings under a mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO), according to official sources on Wednesday, April 16.
The proposed QCO will apply to a broad range of products, including:
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Iron and steel pipes and tubes (such as those used for water and sewage)
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Spiral welded pipes
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Cast iron fittings
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Steel tubes used in the petroleum and natural gas sectors
To advance this initiative, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has scheduled a consultation meeting with industry stakeholders for May 1.
Under the QCO framework, only steel products that meet Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications may be manufactured or imported. The Ministry of Steel issues the QCO, while BIS is responsible for formulating the standards.
Violating the QCO can result in strict penalties, including fiscal fines and imprisonment under the BIS Act.
Currently, steel grades not covered by BIS standards require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the steel ministry before they can be imported.
This move is part of India’s broader efforts to enhance the quality of domestically produced and imported steel products, ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance across sectors.
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