The government has announced mandatory quality norms for solar cable and cast iron products in order to reduce the import of sub-standard goods and enhance the domestic manufacturing of these items. A notification concerning this matter was released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).It was specified that the articles falling under the categories of Solar DC Cable and Fire Survival Cable (Quality Control) Order, 2023; and Cast Iron Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, could not be manufactured, sold, traded, imported, or kept in stock unless they carried the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark.The directive encompassed electrical cables designed for photovoltaic systems. These cables were suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage, for both flexible and fixed installations, displaying a high degree of mechanical resilience even in extreme weather conditions.Fire cables were purposefully constructed to endure elevated temperatures for a stipulated minimum duration when directly exposed to fire. They found applications in scenarios like nuclear power plants, airports, metro systems, refineries, tall buildings, shopping complexes, and cinemas.The DPIIT mentioned that these orders would become effective six months from the publication date of the notification. Previously, the products in question were not subject to BIS certification regulations.Non-compliance with the provisions of the BIS Act could lead to imprisonment for up to two years or a minimum fine of Rs 2 lakh for the initial offense. For subsequent violations, the fine could escalate to at least Rs 5 lakh and extend up to ten times the value of the goods or articles.The notification also revealed that certain relaxations had been granted regarding the implementation timeline of the Quality Control Order (QCO) to support local micro and small industries.The department was actively engaged in various initiatives, including the formulation of the QCO, aimed at fostering an awareness of quality standards among both users and manufacturers.Also read: ADB funds Rs 1.2 billion loan for Fourth Partner Energy                         Kerala power minister adopts alternative smart metre model