Important BIS & QCO Updates for Bearing Industry
The Government of India has issued the draft Bearings (Quality Control) Order, 2025, and the draft Bearing Components and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2025, signalling a major regulatory transition for the bearing industry of India. The proposed regulations are expected to make BIS certification mandatory for bearings and multiple industrial bearing products for manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and distributors operating in the Indian market.
The latest BIS updates for the bearing industry show a clear trend towards stricter quality regulation, industrial safety, and product standardisation across the entire bearing supply chain. The proposed Bearing QCO framework can be applied to finished bearings, rolling elements, mounting accessories, locking systems, and support housings used in industrial machinery, automotive systems, railway applications, heavy engineering equipment, and manufacturing plants.
These proposed changes will have a major impact on production systems, procurement practices, imports, technical documentation, and certification procedures for bearing manufacturers in India.
Government’s Extension of BIS Compliance in the Bearing Segment
Until now, the quality regulation in the bearing sector has been mainly directed at the finished bearing products. However, the Government has now extended its approach to cover critical bearing components and accessories which directly affect bearing performance and industrial reliability.
The proposed Quality Control Order for bearings has been issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The objective of this initiative is to bring down the circulation of substandard industrial products and to enhance the consistency of manufacturing in India’s engineering industry.
The draft notifications recommend mandatory compliance with the relevant Indian Standards and compulsory use of the BIS Standard Mark with a valid BIS license.
Draft Bearing QCO — Finished Bearing Products Now Subject to Compliance
The latest bearing industry BIS updates have one of the most important developments: the addition of several finished bearing categories under mandatory BIS compliance requirements.
Industrial Bearing Products Under the BIS Framework
The proposed regulations cover products such as:
- Tapered roller bearings — BIS certification under IS 12102:1987
- Self-aligning roller bearings — BIS requirements under IS 6454:1972
These bearing types find wide applications in automotive systems, industrial rotating equipment, heavy machinery, railway assemblies, and power transmission applications.
The draft order also includes:
- Single-row deep groove ball bearings — BIS under IS 6455:2020, one of the most commonly used bearing products in electric motors, pumps, fans, household appliances, and industrial equipment.
- Double-row radial ball bearings — under IS 6456:1972 for use under combined radial and axial loads.
Another major development is the inclusion of:
- Single-row cylindrical roller bearings — BIS requirements under IS 6457:2024
- Double-row cylindrical roller bearings — BIS compliance under IS 6458:1972
They are widely used in heavy industrial machines, gearboxes, steel plants, rolling mills, and railway systems where high radial load performance is essential.
Plain Bearings and Needle Bearings Under Draft Rules
The draft notification also includes certification requirements for:
- Thin-walled plain bearings — under IS 10203:1982
- Thick-walled bushes plain bearings — BIS compliance under IS 14478:1997
They find extensive use in industrial motion systems and heavy engineering applications where rotation and wear resistance are important.
The proposed Bearing QCO also includes:
- Ring-type needle bearings — BIS requirements under IS 4215:1983
Needle bearings are widely used in compact automotive and industrial assemblies where a high load capacity is required, but space must be saved.
Other products covered under the draft regulations include:
- Ring-type thrust washers — BIS under IS 9764 (Part 1):2022
- Pressed bimetallic half thrust washers — certification under IS 9764 (Part 2):2022
These products find extensive application in rotating machinery and automotive transmission systems.
The Government has also proposed mandatory compliance for:
- Porous metal powder oil-impregnated bearings — BIS under IS 3980:1982
They are used in self-lubricating systems and low-maintenance industrial applications where consistent performance in operation is required.
Obligatory BIS Rules For Bearing Components & Accessories
The draft Quality Control Order for bearings covers various types of bearing elements and accessories in addition to the finished bearing products.
Rolling Elements and Bearing Components Covered
One of the most important product categories under the draft regulation is rolling elements. The proposed:
- Steel balls for rolling bearings — BIS requirements under IS 2898 (Part 1):2019 / ISO 3290-1:2014 are likely to impact manufacturers supplying steel balls for automotive bearings, industrial motors, pumps, and machinery systems.
The draft order also includes:
- Ceramic balls — as per IS 2898 (Part 2):2019 / ISO 3290-2:2014
Ceramic balls are finding increasing use in aerospace systems, electric vehicles, precision engineering equipment, and high-speed industrial machinery due to their lightweight structure and corrosion resistance.
The latest bearing industry BIS updates also cover:
- Cylindrical rollers — BIS requirements under IS 9202:2020 for industrial machinery applications involving high radial loads and operational precision.
- Needle rollers — certification India framework under IS 4217:2020, expected to affect automotive transmission systems, compressors, industrial tools, and compact machinery assemblies.
The draft notification also lays down provisions for:
- Bicycle balls — BIS approval under IS 15184:2002
They are relatively small, but these products play a large role in bicycle wheel systems, stability, and movement performance.
Mounting Accessories and Industrial Housing Systems
The proposed regulations would also be applicable to industrial bearing mounting accessories:
- Adapter sleeve assemblies — BIS requirements according to IS 16605 (Part 1):2018 / ISO 2982-1:2013 are designed to improve installation accuracy and operational safety in rotating machinery systems.
- Locknuts and locking devices — BIS compliance under IS 16605 (Part 2):2018 / ISO 2982-2:2013
These parts are critical to hold bearings in place while a machine is running and to keep them from working loose due to vibration or rotational force.
The notification also contains the BIS requirements for:
- Plummer block housings — under IS 14347:1996
These housings are widely used in conveyor systems, cement plants, mining operations, steel industries, manufacturing facilities, and heavy engineering sectors where proper shaft support and alignment are crucial.
What the Industry May Need for BIS Certification
The proposed regulations may soon require businesses dealing in covered products to obtain mandatory BIS certification for bearing products before selling them in India. The framework proposed is expected to be applicable to domestic manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers exporting products into the Indian market.
Expected Certification Requirements
The BIS certification process may involve:
- Laboratory testing at BIS-approved laboratories
- Factory inspection & assessment
- Review of technical documentation
- Continuous surveillance and compliance monitoring
- Use of the BIS Standard Mark on the certified products
For many bearing companies, especially smaller component makers, this could be the first time they are working with the BIS certification system at this level.
Proposed Compliance Timeline In Draft Orders
The draft notifications provide phased implementation timelines based on the enterprise classification:
- General manufacturers may be asked to comply within six months of the date of publication of the final notification.
- Small enterprises and micro enterprises would be given more time to comply.
This staggered approach seems intended to provide MSMEs with more time to prepare for:
- Factory improvements
- Testing procedures
- Technical documentation
- Product assessment
- Clearances and certificates
However, businesses are likely to begin preparing long before the final deadlines for implementation.
Effect on Bearing Manufacturers, Importers, and Suppliers
The proposed Bearing QCO is likely to impact almost all layers of the bearing supply chain in India.
Industries and Businesses Expected To Be Impacted
This encompasses:
- Manufacturers of bearings
- Manufacturers of rolling elements
- Distributors of industrial accessories
- Automotive components suppliers
- OEM suppliers, importers, and distributors
- Engineering companies
The proposed regulations could require significant improvements in quality systems, supplier verification, documentation management, testing procedures, and manufacturing controls for bearing manufacturers in India.
Import Compliance and Supplier Verification
Importers of covered products may also need to ensure that foreign manufacturers obtain BIS certification before supplying to the Indian market.
Conclusion
The draft Bearings (Quality Control) Order, 2025, and Bearing Components and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2025 are among the most significant compliance developments for India’s engineering and industrial manufacturing sector.
The latest bearing industry BIS updates clearly indicate the Government’s focus on strengthening quality regulation across the entire bearing ecosystem. The proposed framework may cover a wide range of products, including tapered roller bearings, self-aligning roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, needle bearings, steel balls, ceramic balls, adapter sleeves, locknuts and locking devices, plummer block housings, and other critical bearing components and accessories.
Products such as Tapered Roller Bearings, Single Row Deep Groove Ball Bearings, Double Row Cylindrical Roller Bearings, Steel Balls for Rolling Bearings, Ceramic Balls, Needle Rollers, and Plummer Block Housings may soon be subject to mandatory BIS certification requirements under the proposed regulations.
Manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, and OEMs should begin assessing the potential impact of these proposed requirements and preparing for future compliance obligations. Early preparation can help businesses ensure uninterrupted access to the Indian market as the proposed Quality Control Orders move closer to final implementation.
Need Help With BIS Certification for Bearings?
Need assistance in understanding the applicability of the proposed Bearing QCO or preparing for BIS certification?
Era Global Standards Certification is a leading compliance and regulatory consultancy that helps manufacturers and importers get BIS certification, ISI marking, and product approvals across India. We offer total life-cycle support for QCO compliance, technical documentation, testing coordination, and certification management.
Contact us today to ensure your bearing products are ready for the new regulatory landscape.