The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has extended the implementation timeline for the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025. This decision follows stakeholder consultations chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal.

The revised Quality Control Order (QCO) will come into force on 19 March 2026 for domestic large and medium enterprises and foreign manufacturers. The QCO covers electrical appliances intended for household, commercial, or similar uses with rated voltage not exceeding 250 volts for single-phase and 480 volts for others, including direct current and battery-operated appliances. Appliances already under separate QCOs or mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards certification are excluded.

Key relaxations include a six-month extension for micro enterprises and a three-month extension for small enterprises. There are exemptions for imports by domestic manufacturers for export-oriented production and for up to 200 units for research and development. Legacy stock manufactured or imported before implementation can be cleared within six months from the effective date.

The QCO aims to restrict sub-standard imports, enhance consumer safety, and improve the competitiveness of Indian industry as part of the Government of India's vision for a self-reliant manufacturing ecosystem.

Source:Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce and Industry