Steel and Iron Products
Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Strips for Ball and Roller Bearing Cages/Retainers
Strategic Recommendations for Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Strips for Ball and Roller Bearing Cages/Retainers – IS 4397:1999
- Start BIS Certification Immediately
Initiate BIS certification planning well before 20 November 2028 to ensure timely compliance with IS 4397:1999 when the deferred QCO requirement becomes operative.
- Engage ERA Compliance Experts
ERA provides end-to-end assistance including BIS application filing, product testing coordination, documentation, factory inspection readiness and certification support for IS 4397:1999.
- Reach Out for Support
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- Ensure ISI Marking & Test Certification
Ensure conformity with IS 4397:1999, the required BIS Standard Mark, and the prescribed Test Certificate requirements once the QCO requirement becomes operative.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Strips for Ball and Roller Bearing Cages/Retainers |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 4397:1999 |
| Title of Indian Standard | Cold-rolled Carbon Steel Strips for Ball and Roller Bearing Cages/Retainers – Specification |
| Quality Control Order | Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 |
| Notification & Amendments | S.O. 3716(E), dated 29 August 2024, as amended by S.O. 5134(E), dated 20 November 2025, and S.O. 3300(E), dated 20 June 2026. The 2025 amendment deferred the enforcement applicable to IS 4397:1999 by three years. |
| Final Enforcement Date | 20 November 2028 |
| Objective & Scope | IS 4397:1999 specifically covers cold-rolled carbon steel strips intended for manufacturing ball and roller bearing cages/retainers. The product is therefore regulated based on its specified material form, carbon-steel composition and intended bearing-cage/retainer application. |
| Products Covered | Cold-rolled carbon steel strips specifically intended for ball and roller bearing cages/retainers, falling under the HS classifications expressly associated with IS 4397:1999. |
| Applicable HS Codes / ITC (HS) Codes | 72091510, 72091520, 72091890, 72092510, 72092890, 72099000, 72091530, 72091590, 72091610, 72091620, 72091630, 72091690, 72091710, 72091720, 72091730, 72091790, 72091810, 72091820, 72091830, 72092520, 72092530, 72092590, 72092620, 72092630, 72092690, 72092710, 72092720, 72092730, 72092790, 72092810, 72092820, 72112310, 72112320, 72112330, 72112340, 72112350, 72112390, 72112910, 72112920, 72112930, 72112940, 72112950, 72112960, 72112990 and 72119090. |
| Exemptions | Steel and steel products manufactured domestically for export and conforming to another specification required by a foreign buyer are excluded from the Order, subject to the applicable conditions. |
| Industries Impacted | Bearing manufacturers, automotive and industrial bearing component manufacturers, precision engineering industries, manufacturers of ball and roller bearing cages/retainers, steel strip manufacturers, importers and distributors of covered steel strips. |
| Mandatory Compliance | Covered products must conform to IS 4397:1999 from the applicable enforcement date. The product must bear the BIS Standard Mark under licence, and each consignment must be accompanied by the prescribed Test Certificate issued by a BIS-certified manufacturer. |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Confirm the product's applicability and correct HS classification, review conformity against IS 4397:1999, arrange product testing, initiate BIS certification, prepare technical documentation and establish supply-chain compliance before the enforcement date. |
| Legal Framework & Enforcement | The QCO is issued under Sections 16, 17 and 25(3) of the BIS Act, 2016. BIS is the certifying and enforcement authority for covered steel products. |
| Penalties | Contravention of the QCO is punishable under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016. Sub-standard or defective products are required to be dealt with as prescribed under the Order. |
| Conclusion | Manufacturers, importers and users of cold-rolled carbon steel strips for ball and roller bearing cages/retainers should complete BIS certification and conformity preparations well before 20 November 2028. Particular attention should be given to confirming the correct HS classification because the QCO expressly maps only specified HS codes to IS 4397:1999. |
| References/Annexures | Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 – S.O. 3716(E); Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2025 – S.O. 5134(E); Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 – S.O. 3300(E). |
Notification
The Ministry of Steel included Cold-rolled Carbon Steel Strips for Ball and Roller Bearing Cages/Retainers under IS 4397:1999 in the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The QCO specifically associates the standard with HS codes 72091510, 72091520, 72091890, 72092510, 72092890 and 72099000.
Enforcement Timeline
The original QCO specified immediate implementation. The 2025 Amendment Order subsequently deferred enforcement applicable to this standard for three years from the date of publication. Accordingly, the final enforcement date is 20 November 2028. The 2026 amendment does not further alter the enforcement date applicable to IS 4397:1999.
Overview
IS 4397:1999 is a product-specific standard covering cold-rolled carbon steel strips used for ball and roller bearing cages or retainers. These strips are used as the material for manufacturing precision bearing components where dimensional and material conformity is important.
Objective & Scope
The requirement aims to ensure that cold-rolled carbon steel strips supplied for ball and roller bearing cages/retainers conform to the applicable Indian Standard. The regulatory coverage is linked to the product description and the HS codes expressly specified for IS 4397:1999.
Products Covered
The covered product is cold-rolled carbon steel strip intended for ball and roller bearing cages/retainers. The QCO expressly identifies six HS codes for this product under IS 4397:1999: 72091510, 72091520, 72091890, 72092510, 72092890 and 72099000.
Exemptions Provided
The QCO provides an exemption for steel and steel products manufactured domestically for export where the products conform to another specification required by a foreign buyer, subject to the conditions prescribed in the Order.
Industries Impacted
The requirement is particularly relevant to bearing manufacturers, automotive-component manufacturers, industrial machinery manufacturers, precision engineering companies and producers of bearing cages and retainers. Steel strip manufacturers, importers and distributors supplying the covered material are also affected.
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Once the requirement becomes enforceable, covered cold-rolled carbon steel strips must conform to IS 4397:1999. The product must carry the required BIS Standard Mark under licence, and each consignment must be accompanied by a Test Certificate bearing the Standard Mark and issued by a BIS-certified manufacturer.
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Manufacturers and importers should first confirm whether their product falls within the specific product scope of IS 4397:1999 and whether the applicable HS code is expressly covered. They should then review material specifications, arrange testing, prepare BIS documentation and initiate certification well before 20 November 2028.
Legal Provisions, Enforcement & Penalties
The QCO has been issued under the BIS Act, 2016, and BIS is responsible for certification and enforcement. Covered products must comply with the applicable Indian Standard and carry the required Standard Mark. Contravention is punishable under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016.
Conclusion
IS 4397:1999 specifically regulates cold-rolled carbon steel strips used for ball and roller bearing cages/retainers. Stakeholders should use the transition period to complete testing, BIS certification and documentation readiness before 20 November 2028. Importantly, only the HS codes expressly mapped to IS 4397:1999 in the QCO should be treated as confirmed regulatory codes unless the applicability of any additional HS code is independently established.
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