NEWS
Corrigendum to QCO for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products (2025)
A Comprehensive Overview
In recent years, the Government of India has actively pursued quality reforms to align domestic manufacturing with global standards. One of the significant steps in this direction is the issuance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. These QCOs aim to ensure that products manufactured in or imported into India conform to specific Indian Standards (IS), thereby enhancing product reliability, safety, and market credibility.
On May 5, 2025, a QCO was notified for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products under notification number S.O. 2021(E). This order mandates compulsory compliance with specified Indian Standards for various aluminum products to regulate their quality across the industry. However, to address a typographical error found in the original QCO, a corrigendum was issued on June 16, 2025, vide S.O. 2682(E), and published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India. This correction ensures accuracy in referencing the applicable Indian Standard for a specific aluminum product category.
Key Highlights
– The corrigendum, dated June 16, 2025, corrects an error in the original QCO dated May 5, 2025.
– Specifically, against Serial Number 3 in the QCO table, the Indian Standard reference was mistakenly published as IS 5485:1997.
– The corrigendum clarifies that the correct reference should be IS 5484:1997.
– This correction has significant implications for compliance, as each IS code corresponds to a specific type of material and set of testing and quality parameters.
Products Covered
Although the corrigendum specifically amends one IS reference, it falls under the larger framework of the QCO for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products. The overall QCO applies to a wide range of aluminum-based products, including but not limited to:
– Rolled Products: Such as aluminum sheets, coils, plates, and foils used in industries like construction, transportation, packaging, and electronics.
– Extruded Products: Aluminum profiles, bars, tubes, and rods used in sectors like architecture, automotive, aerospace, and railways.
– Aluminum Castings and Forgings: Used for high-precision engineering applications.
– Aluminum Alloys: Covered under various IS codes that define their mechanical and chemical properties for specialized applications.
Exemptions Provided
The QCO typically outlines several exemptions to ensure flexibility for genuine use cases and avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens. Key exemptions include:
1. Products Meant Exclusively for Export: Aluminum products manufactured specifically for overseas clients and not sold in the Indian domestic market are usually exempted.
2. Research and Development Use: Imports or local manufacture of aluminum products for R&D purposes, testing, or educational projects may not require BIS certification.
3. Prototypes and Product Development: Limited quantities used by registered companies for prototype creation or innovation testing may be excluded.
4. Special Approvals: In certain cases, manufacturers and importers can apply to the Ministry or BIS for relaxation under specific conditions.
However, these exemptions are subject to proper documentation and may require prior approval or post-facto justification.
Timeline for Implementation
The original QCO notification dated May 5, 2025, and published on May 6, 2025, defined the implementation timeline. Manufacturers and importers were given a specific window to comply with the regulations, including obtaining BIS certification, marking, and labeling requirements.
The corrigendum dated June 16, 2025, does not alter the original effective dates or compliance deadlines. It is solely a correction of an incorrect Indian Standard reference and does not extend or change the timeline for implementation.
Therefore, the deadlines defined in the May 2025 QCO notification still apply and must be adhered to strictly.
Next Steps for Manufacturers & Importers
All stakeholders in the aluminum product value chain — from primary producers to distributors and end-users — are advised to take the following actions in light of the corrigendum:
1. Review All Product Standards: Ensure that the correct Indian Standards, particularly IS 5484:1997, are referenced in your documentation, certification applications, and internal quality control procedures.
2. Update Quality Management Systems: Modify internal audit protocols, SOPs, and compliance checklists to reflect the correct IS standard.
3. Coordinate with Certification Bodies: Engage with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or accredited labs to reconfirm that ongoing or pending certifications are aligned with the updated reference.
4. Inform Supply Chain Partners: Communicate the update to suppliers, procurement teams, clients, and compliance officers to maintain uniformity and avoid disruptions.
5. Monitor Further Updates: Continue to check gazette notifications and DPIIT circulars for any additional changes, extensions, or clarifications that may be issued.
Conclusion
The corrigendum to the QCO for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Products reaffirms the government’s focus on precision in regulatory implementation. Even minor amendments, such as the correction of an Indian Standard code, play a crucial role in ensuring legal compliance and technical accuracy.
Manufacturers, importers, and allied stakeholders should treat such notifications with utmost seriousness. Timely adoption of these changes will not only ensure regulatory compliance but also uphold product credibility in an increasingly competitive and quality-conscious marketplace.
In conclusion, while the corrigendum may appear minor, its implications are meaningful in the broader scheme of quality control, standardization, and policy implementation. Staying informed and proactive is key to long-term compliance success.