Ministry of Mines has notified three Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for seven items on August 31, 2023, following the due process of notification of Technical Regulations. These QCOs will come into effect three months from the date of notification. These QCOs mark the first technical regulations from Ministry of Mines under the BIS Act.
The QCO for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys mandates compulsory certification under the appropriate Indian Standards (IS) for the domestic production and import of aluminium and aluminium alloy (ingots and casting); high purity primary aluminium ingot; aluminium alloy ingots for bearings; primary aluminium ingots for remelting; and aluminium ingots, billets and wire bars (EC grade). The remaining two QCOs provide appropriate IS standards for copper and for nickel powder.
The three QCOs have been notified after an elaborate process comprising consultations with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and with relevant industry associations and stakeholders, including hosting of the draft QCOs on the website of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a 60-day period for inviting comments from member countries, and on the website of the Ministry for comments from stakeholders within the 60-day period, followed by finalization of the QCOs after their approval by the Union Minister of Mines and vetting by the Legislative Department.
The Ministry of Mines is laying emphasis on strengthening the quality control eco-system for non-ferrous metals sector in the country. For that, the Ministry is in constant consultation with BIS for preparation of more QCOs on upstream products (refined metal) in the non-ferrous metal value chain.
The development of mandatory QCOs help curb the import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices, and ensure supply of quality products to the domestic consumers including industrial users. The notified QCOs will ensure the standard and quality of aluminium metal and alloys, copper and nickel to the benefit of the user industry. At the same time, the QCOs will ensure Indian product quality in these items akin to global standards, and enhance the brand value of ‘Make in India’ in the international market.
The QCO notifications are among the many initiatives of the Ministry of Mines that are aimed at realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
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