Government issues order to bring 16 more steel products under quality control

The steel ministry has issued two Quality Control orders namely Steel and Steel Products(Quality Control) Order, 2018 and Stainless Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2018 that brings 16 more steel products under the ambit of quality control order.

Earlier, 34 carbon steel products and three stainless steel products were notified by steel ministry. In effect, the quality control orders now cover 50 carbon steel and three stainless steel products, which have direct bearing on health and are critical to safety & security of infrastructure, housing, engineering application and public at large. On implementation of these orders, around 85- 90% of steel and steel products consumed in the country would be covered under Quality Control Orders(QCO).

The notifications were issued on June 20, 2018. The notified steel items cannot be produced, sold / traded, imported and stocked unless they bear BIS mark. Domestic manufacturers of these items have to obtain BIS certification mark licenses. Foreign suppliers willing to supply these items to India have to obtain BIS registration.

In statement issued on Sunday, the steel ministry said it has decided to cover Tin Plates used in food, food additives, drug and medicines, under the mandatory quality control regime and the process is being initiated. Tin plate is largely used in packaging of food and food additives as well as drugs and medicines and beverages besides other non critical and non food applications. It is also considering bringing the remaining steel products under QCO in consultation with stakeholders in phased manner.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com