DPIIT notifies Quality Control Orders for ‘Potable water bottles’ and ‘Flame-Producing Lighter’

“Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry has successfully notified two new Quality Control Orders (QCOs) on July 5, 2023,” said a statement.

The orders will come into effect six months from the date of notification, according to the ministry.

These QCOs aim to strengthen the quality ecosystem in India and enhance the public health and safety of consumers, it stated.

The QCO for ‘Potable water bottles’ mandates compulsory certification under the appropriate IS Standard for the production and import of potable water bottles made of copper, stainless steel, or aluminium.

The QCO for ‘Flame-Producing Lighter’ mandates compulsory certification under IS Standards for ‘Safety Specification for Lighters’, and ‘Safety Specifications for Utility Lighters’, for the Flame lighters manufactured for domestic market or imported into India.

A lighter is a portable device which creates a flame and can be used to ignite a variety of items, such as cigarettes, gas lighter, fireworks, candles or campfires.

The ministry said relaxations have been granted in terms of the timeline for implementing the QCO to support the domestic micro and small industries.

This aims to safeguard their interests while ensuring smooth implementation and fostering an environment conducive to ease of doing business.

DPIIT Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has stressed on the importance of building a quality ecosystem in India for the manufacturing of world class products.

He also emphasized that it will not only contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country but also put India prominently on the world map in terms of quality products.

In collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), DPIIT has initiated the development of 64 new QCOs, covering 317 product standards.

Extensive consultations with key industry associations and stakeholders are conducted to gather valuable inputs and feedback for each QCO, after which the QCO draft is submitted for approval to the Hon'ble Commerce & Industry Minister and vetted by the Department of Legislative Affairs.

Once this process is completed, the QCOs are uploaded on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) website for a 60-day period, inviting comments from member countries.

With the notification of the QCOs, manufacturing, storing and sale of non-BIS certified products are prohibited as per the BIS Act, 2016.

The violation of the provision of the BIS Act can attract a penalty of imprisonment up to two years or with fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offence.

In case of second and subsequent offences, the fine will increase to Rs 5 lakh minimum and extend up to ten times the value of goods or articles.