Government Expands Quality Control Orders and Launches Digital Reforms to Strengthen Standards Ecosystem
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Institutions: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution | Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
At the celebration of World Standards Day 2025, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that the Government is harmonizing Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to tighten certification for substandard goods while safeguarding MSME competitiveness. Speaking at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) event, he called for a “sustainable balance” between quality enforcement and ease of compliance.
Over the past decade, India’s standards ecosystem has expanded sharply—from 106 products under 14 QCOs (2014) to 773 products under 191 QCOs plus two horizontal QCOs (2025). Today, 22,300 standards are in force, and 94 percent of them are harmonized with ISO and IEC benchmarks. The number of new standards formulated annually has more than doubled, underscoring India’s drive to align domestic certification with global expectations.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s vision of “Zero Defect, Zero Effect,” the Minister urged BIS to intensify its consumer-outreach and awareness campaigns so that citizens understand the importance of certified goods. He also emphasized that quality, sustainability, and innovation are integral to India’s goal of becoming the third-largest economy by 2028.
Three digital initiatives were launched to modernize the standards ecosystem:
National Lighting Code of India 2025 – a comprehensive revision integrating LED technology, IoT-enabled systems, and renewable-energy-based lighting for indoor, outdoor, and specialized applications such as healthcare and heritage sites.
Pilot for Digital Hallmarking Verification – enabling real-time recording of jewellery photographs and weights at 25 Assaying & Hallmarking Centres, accessible via the BIS Care App to enhance consumer trust.
Integration of Laboratory Equipment with BIS LIMS and a Learning Management System (LMS) – connecting over 180 testing instruments for seamless data transfer and offering self-paced online courses on Indian Standards and conformity assessment.
The government’s push to harmonize QCOs reflects a strategic shift from voluntary to mandatory standards in key sectors such as renewable energy, electronics, and digital infrastructure. This can deepen consumer confidence, support Atmanirbhar Bharat, and expand India’s role in global value chains. For policymakers, the challenge lies in keeping compliance affordable for MSMEs through phased adoption, digital certification, and capacity-building initiatives like the new LMS.
What is a Quality Control Order (QCO)?
A QCO is a legal notification that mandates BIS certification for specified products to ensure they meet safety, performance, and environmental standards before sale in India. It helps eliminate substandard imports and promotes consumer protection.
What is BIS? → The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards authority under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It develops Indian Standards, certifies products through the ISI mark and HUID hallmark, and safeguards consumer interests by enforcing safety and quality norms. BIS also represents India in global standard-setting bodies such as the ISO and IEC, aligning Indian products with international trade requirements.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India scale its quality-control framework without burdening MSMEs, while ensuring domestic products meet or exceed international standards?
Follow the full news here: PIB Press Release ID 2178951