Govt Rolls Out Mandatory Quality Norms for Insulated Flask, Bottles; Violation of Rules Attract Imprisonment, Fine

The government said on Wednesday that it had issued mandatory quality standards for insulated flasks, bottles and containers with the aim of containing imports of substandard goods and promoting local manufacturing of these products.

A notification in this regard was issued by the Department for the Promotion of Industry and Domestic Trade (DPIIT) on July 14.

These items – resin-treated compressed wood chips, vials, bottles and insulated containers for household use – under Quality Control Orders (QCO), cannot be produced, sold/traded, imported and stored unless they bear the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) mark.

Now, the manufacture, storage and sale of non-BIS certified products are prohibited as per the BIS Act 2016.

Violation of the provisions of the BIS Act can result in a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh for the first offence.

In case of second and subsequent infractions, the fine will increase to a minimum of Rs 5,000 and extend to ten times the value of the goods or commodities.

QCOs will become effective six months after the date of notification. In addition to developing a quality ecosystem in India, these quality bodies will also ensure the public health and safety of consumers,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

It said the application for resin-cured plywood mandates compulsory certification under the IS standard for resin-cured plywood (compregs) – electrical, chemical and general for products manufactured for the domestic market or imported into India.

Similarly, the QCO for insulated flasks, flasks and containers for domestic use mandates mandatory certification for stainless steel vacuum flasks/bottles and insulated containers for food storage, for products manufactured for the domestic market or imported into India.

In order to protect local micro and small industries, ensure smooth implementation of QCO and ease of doing business, facilities have been given to micro and small industries in terms of the order execution schedule.

The Ministry of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has the task of establishing a quality control system in the country.

Several initiatives including QCO development are being undertaken by the department to develop quality awareness among users and manufacturers alike.

While the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is voluntary in nature, QCO is a mandatory certification scheme, whereby compliance with a specific list of Indian standards applicable to the respective product becomes mandatory by the central government.

“The aim of notifying QCOs is to help reduce imports of substandard products into India, prevent unfair trade practices and enhance the quality of locally manufactured products to protect human, animal or plant health and environmental safety,” he said.

QCOs will not only improve the manufacturing quality standards in the country but also enhance the brand and value of Made in India products.

These initiatives, along with the development of quality testing laboratories, and product catalogs will help in developing a quality ecosystem in India.

DPIIT works with BIS on an ongoing basis, which has resulted in the initiation and development of 64 new QCOs covering 317 product standards.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, DPI, stressed the importance of building a quality ecosystem in India for manufacturing world-class products.

During various industrial interactions, DPIIT Joint Secretary Sanjeev emphasized that in order to restrict circulation of low quality products in India and to ensure the safety of consumers in the country, mandatory quality control measures like QCO are necessary.

Mandatory QCOs help reduce the importation of substandard products, prevent unfair trade practices, and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers, as well as the environment.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)