Acting on recommendations from the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms (HLC-NFRR), the Ministry of Steel has reviewed the wider implications of enforcing the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The assessment considered potential downstream pricing impacts, the need to ensure adequate steel availability for MSMEs and user industries, and India’s continued dependence on imports for certain specialised grades. At the same time, the Ministry examined issues relating to preventing unfair trade practices, supporting small steel producers and advancing domestic self-reliance.

Balancing these factors, the Ministry has suspended enforcement of the QCO on 42 Indian Standards for three years and on 13 Indian Standards — relating to speciality steel grades under PLI 1.2 — for one year. The changes have been formalised through the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025.

The three-year suspension applies to 42 IS Standards listed in Schedule 1 of the QCO, covering steel grades widely used in the manufacture of engineered products, automotive components and durable goods. The one-year suspension applies to 13 IS Standards in the same schedule, covering speciality steel grades used in high-precision and niche applications requiring exceptional strength, hardness, dimensional accuracy and thermal stability.