Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026

The Ministry of Steel has issued The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 which has given significant relief to the makers, importers, suppliers and traders of the certain steel products.

This is an update without any new Quality Control standards but provides some temporary respite by deferring the implementation of specified Indian Standards (IS). The government has taken two different paths:

• Abeyance (3 Year Hold)
• Enforcement Deferred (Enforcement Deferred till 31 March 2027)

This modification is crucial for your business if you manufacture, import or supply any of these steel products as it directly affects your compliance schedule under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The amendment shall take effect on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

What is the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026?

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 issued earlier under the terms of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016 stands amended by the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026.

The change does not remove any product from the Quality Control Order (QCO) on a permanent basis. Instead, it is temporarily suspending enforcement for some products to allow manufacturers and importers with additional time to prepare for compliance.

The decision has been reached by the Central Government in conjunction with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in the interest of public administration and industry readiness.

Two Major Relief Measures Announced

The greatest aspect of the change is that the Government has brought in two different categories of relief.

What is the meaning of "Abeyance"?

Simply put, abeyance is the suspension of the obligation to enforce.

For these two items the mandatory QCO enforcement will not be in effect for three years. Producers and importers will have more time until compliance is required. Existing enforcement requirements are suspended during this period.

This gives a comfort to several engineering steel tube industries and general engineering steel wire rope enterprises.

The enforcement for these products has not been put in abeyance for three years, but has simply been postponed until 31 March 2027. The Quality Control requirements are expected to be effective after this date until notified by the Government to the contrary.

Abeyance vs Deferred Enforcement – What's the Difference?

Many businesses are confusing these two terms, but they are not the same.

Why Has the Government Issued This Amendment?

The notification does not specify the reasons, although the adjustments are often made to:

1. Allow extra time to manufacturers to attain BIS compliance.
2. Ease immediate compliance burdens on industry.
3. Address implementation problems for manufacturers and importers.
4. Make the transition under the Quality Control Order smoother.
5. Keep production and supply chains running smoothly.

For many companies, getting a BIS mark means testing of products, inspection of plant, paperwork and licensing and this can take quite a bit of time. Temporary reprieve allows firms to carry out these activities more efficiently.

Who Will Be Affected by This Amendment?

The amendment is particularly relevant for:

• Steel manufacturers
• Stainless steel manufacturers
• Steel tube manufacturers
• Steel wire rope manufacturers
• Kitchen utensil manufacturers
• Stainless steel sheet producers
• Importers of steel products
• Traders and distributors
• OEM manufacturers
• BIS consultants
• Compliance managers

If your products fall under any of the above IS standards, you should review your compliance roadmap based on the revised enforcement timelines.

Should Manufacturers Stop Preparing for BIS Certification?

One of the major misconception is that these items don't require BIS certification anymore. That's not what the amendment says. But the notice just delays enforcement for some products. Businesses should continue preparing for future compliance with steps like:

• Identification of the relevant Indian Standard.
• Technical requirements review.
• Product testing, if applicable.
• Factory documentation preparation.
• Planning their BIS certification process ahead of enforcement resumption.

Getting ready early helps you prevent last-minute compliance headaches when enforcement becomes effective.

Summary of the Amendment

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 brings in two distinct relaxations in compliance:

Products in 3-Year Abeyance

• IS 2879:1998 – Steel tubes for mechanical engineering and general engineering purposes
• IS 5518:1996 – Steel Wire Ropes for General Engineering Products

With Enforcement Deferred to 31 March 2027

• IS 5522:2014 – Stainless Steel Sheets and Strips for Utensils
• IS 6911:2017 – Stainless Steel Plates, Sheets and Strips
• IS 15997:2012 – Low Nickel Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheets and Strips for Utensils and Kitchen Appliances

These modifications amend the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 and shall come into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Need Assistance with BIS Certification?

Even though enforcement has been temporarily relaxed for selected steel products, manufacturers and importers should continue preparing for BIS compliance well in advance. Starting the certification process early can help avoid delays once enforcement becomes mandatory.

Our BIS experts assist manufacturers with:

• BIS Certification for Steel Products
• ISI Mark Certification
• Product testing coordination
• Documentation support
• Factory inspection guidance
• End-to-end BIS compliance for domestic and foreign manufacturers

If your product falls under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, our team can help you understand the latest notification and plan your certification process with confidence.

FAQ's

1. What is the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026?

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026 is a notification issued by the Ministry of Steel that amends the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024. The amendment provides temporary compliance relief by placing certain products under three-year abeyance and deferring enforcement for selected stainless steel products until 31 March 2027, allowing manufacturers and importers additional time to comply with BIS Quality Control requirements.

2. Which steel products have been placed under three-year abeyance?

The following products have been placed under three-year abeyance from the date of publication of the amendment:

• IS 2879:1998 – Steel Tubes for Mechanical and General Engineering Purposes
• IS 5518:1996 – Steel Wire Ropes for General Engineering

During this period, the Quality Control Order (QCO) enforcement for these products will remain on hold.

3. Which products have their enforcement deferred until 31 March 2027?

The amendment defers enforcement for the following stainless steel products until 31 March 2027:

• IS 5522:2014 – Stainless Steel Sheets and Strips for Utensils
• IS 6911:2017 – Stainless Steel Plates, Sheets and Strips
• IS 15997:2012 – Low Nickel Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheets and Strips for Utensils and Kitchen Appliances

After this date, these products are expected to come under mandatory enforcement unless the Government issues another notification.

4. What is the difference between 'Abeyance' and 'Deferred Enforcement'?

Abeyance means that enforcement has been placed on hold for a specified period—in this amendment, three years. Deferred Enforcement, on the other hand, means that enforcement has been postponed until a specific date, which is 31 March 2027 for the notified stainless steel products. Both provide temporary relief, but the duration and applicability are different.

5. Do manufacturers still need to apply for BIS certification after this amendment?

Yes. This amendment does not permanently exempt the listed products from BIS certification. It only postpones the enforcement of the applicable Quality Control Order for the specified period. Manufacturers and importers are encouraged to begin preparing for BIS certification in advance so they can meet compliance requirements once enforcement becomes applicable.