In a move aimed at balancing quality enhancement with industry readiness, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has announced an extension to the implementation timeline of the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025. The decision, taken after comprehensive stakeholder consultations chaired by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal on May 15, 2025, reflects a thoughtful response to the concerns raised by industry players, particularly small and medium enterprises.
Aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of creating a strong and reliable quality ecosystem across the country, DPIIT has been proactively introducing Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to uplift manufacturing standards and promote globally competitive ‘Made in India’ products. The initiative is supported by parallel efforts to enhance testing infrastructure, establish detailed product manuals, and accredit testing laboratories.
Acknowledging the practical challenges related to legacy stock, production cycles, and compliance readiness, DPIIT has now revised the QCO to come into effect from March 19, 2026, for large and medium domestic enterprises as well as foreign manufacturers. This decision provides businesses with critical additional time to align their operations with the new standards.
The revised QCO covers a wide range of electrical appliances designed for household and commercial use, as long as their rated voltage does not exceed 250V for single-phase appliances or 480V for others, including DC-powered and battery-operated models. Importantly, it excludes items already governed by separate QCOs or mandatory BIS certification requirements.
To further support small businesses, the order introduces important relaxations. Micro enterprises have been granted an extra six months, while small enterprises will benefit from a three-month extension beyond the new deadline. Exemptions have also been provided for R&D imports up to 200 units and for components used in export-oriented manufacturing. Additionally, a six-month window has been allowed for the clearance of legacy stock produced or imported before the effective date.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring consumer safety and curbing the influx of sub-standard imports, without placing undue burden on the industry. It demonstrates a pragmatic approach—raising the bar on quality while providing the necessary breathing room for stakeholders to adapt.
As India continues its journey toward becoming a global manufacturing hub, measures like these reflect a careful balance between ambition and empathy, fostering a business environment where quality and competitiveness go hand in hand under the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
