DPIIT notifies Quality Control Orders for ‘Copper Products’
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and stakeholders, has been identifying key products for notifying Quality Control Orders (QCO). This has led to the initiation of the development of more than 60 new QCOs covering 318 product standards. It includes nine standards for copper products.
- In pursuance of the same, DPIIT is on a mission to establish a quality control regime in the country for the industrial sectors under its domain in association with BIS, industry, and other stakeholders.
- QCOs shall not only improve the manufacturing quality standards in the country but also enhance the brand and value of ‘Made in India’ products. These initiatives, coupled with development testing labs, product manuals, accreditation of test labs, etc., shall aid in the development of a quality ecosystem in India.
- The standard issued for any product is for voluntary compliance unless it is notified by the Central Government to make it mandatory, primarily through notification of the Quality Control Order (QCO) under Scheme-I and the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) under Scheme-II of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018.
- The objective of notifying the QCOs is to enhance the quality of domestically manufactured products, curb the imports of substandard products into India, and prevent unfair trade practices for the protection of human, animal, or plant health and safety in the environment.
- With the implementation of the QCOs, manufacturing, storing, and selling non-BIS-certified products will be prohibited as per the BIS Act, 2016. A violation of the provisions of the BIS Act can attract a penalty of imprisonment up to two years or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offense. In cases of second and subsequent offenses, the fine will increase to a minimum of Rs 5 lakh and extend up to ten times the value of the goods or articles.
- The implementation of the QCO for these products is crucial not only for the safety of consumers, but it will also improve the manufacturing quality standards in the country and curb the imports of substandard products into India.
- These initiatives, coupled with the development of quality testing labs, product manuals, etc., will aid in the development of a quality ecosystem in India. With the aforementioned initiatives, the Government of India aims to develop world-class products of good quality in India, thereby fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of creating an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Copper
- Copper is a soft and malleable metal that is used in electrical wires and cables for its conductivity. plumbing, industrial machinery, and construction materials for their durability, machinability, corrosion resistance, and ability to be cast with high precision.
- Copper and its alloys are used in power generation, power transmission, telecommunications, electrical circuits, and several appliances.
- So, it’s a given that the copper products need to be of the best quality, and their purity must not be compromised at any cost.