New QCOs and BIS Certification in India: What changes from October 1, 2026 for exporters to India

What are Quality Control Orders (QCO) in India? 

Quality Control Orders are measures issued by the various Ministries and Departments of the Indian Government with the aim of making compliance with specific Indian Standards defined by the Bureau of Indian Standards mandatory for given product categories.

The BIS certification is generally voluntary, but becomes mandatory when a product is included in a specific QCO. In these cases, the product must comply with the Indian standard indicated in the provision and bear the relevant Standard Mark under the license or certificate required by the applicable scheme. 

The objective of the Indian authorities is to progressively increase the quality and safety levels of products placed on the market by harmonizing the requirements applicable to local manufacturers and imported goods. 

Once the QCO has entered into force, barring specific exemptions provided for by the measure, the products concerned cannot freely be produced, imported, distributed, or marketed in India without the required compliance. It is therefore important to understand that the QCO does not concern only the finished product in a generic sense: the company must precisely identify product, technical characteristics, standard application field and production site. 

What changes from October 1st, 2026? 

According to the official list of Upcoming QCOs published by the Bureau of Indian Standards and updated to August 2026, several product categories will enter the mandatory application phase starting from October 1, 2026. Among the sectors of greatest interest for Italian companies, we can identify three broad areas. 

Hand tools and professional equipment 

A first category concerns various tools used in industrial, professional, and maintenance settings. Among the products indicated by BIS are, for example: 

• general-purpose pipe wrenches; 
• heavy duty pipe wrenches; 
• open-end wrenches; 
• ring spanners; 
• adjustable wrenches; 
• chain pipe wrenches; 
• open-ended and ring striking wrenches; 
• combination pliers with side cutter.

Each category is associated with a specific Indian Standard, which defines technical characteristics, performance, and requirements that the product must comply with. The topic may therefore be of interest not only to Italian tool manufacturers, but also to companies selling in India through local distributors, industrial operators, or group companies. 

The following table summarizes the Indian standards applicable to each tool category: 

Aluminum utensils and beverage cans 

Starting October 1st, new deadlines are also scheduled for certain categories of aluminum products. In particular, the BIS list includes: 

• Wrought Aluminium Utensils, according to IS 1660:2024; 
• Aluminum Cans for Beverages, according to IS 14407:2023.

The relevant Quality Control Order establishes the obligation to comply with Indian standards and to use the Standard Mark required by the regulations. 

Below is the detail of the applicable standards: 

This is a particularly significant change for manufacturers and the supply chains linked to these sectors food & beverage, cookware, packaging and aluminum processing. Furthermore, the October deadline should not be considered an isolated intervention: the BIS calendar provides for further obligations relating to other aluminum products starting from December 1, 2026, including bars, profiles, plates, sheets, wires, tubes, and extrusions intended for different industrial applications. 

The details of the standards affected by this second deadline are given below: 

Electrical appliances: one of the new developments to monitor most closely

One of the potentially most extensive areas concerns electrical appliances for household, commercial or similar use, with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances, including certain DC or battery-powered equipment. 

The benchmark for this category is as follows: 

The illustrative list published by the Bureau of Indian Standards is very extensive and includes, among others: 

• vacuum cleaners and cleaning appliances; 
• ovens, cooktops, and similar appliances; 
• deep fryers and electric griddles; 
• apparatus for heating liquids; 
• coffee machines and some coffee grinders; 
• food processors and food preparation appliances; 
• dishwasher; 
• electric machines for commercial kitchens; 
• air cleaning devices; 
• humidifiers; 
• commercial electric hoods; 
• personal care appliances; 
• electric garage door openers; 
• furniture with motorized components; 
• commercial vacuum packaging machines; 
• various battery-powered devices.

However, the presence of a product in an illustrative list is not sufficient, on its own, to determine the correct certification path. 

The QCO dedicated to household, commercial, and similar appliances excludes from its scope products already regulated by other QCOs or already subject to specific BIS certification obligations. It therefore becomes essential to verify on a case-by-case basis whether a specific standard or provision already exists for the product. 

For an Italian company, this probably represents one of the most delicate aspects of the new legislation: It is not always sufficient to start with the commercial description or the customs code of the product to determine which certification is applicable.. 

BIS Certification: what must an Italian manufacturer do? 

When the product is actually subject to mandatory certification, the foreign manufacturer must initiate the process required by the Bureau of Indian Standards. 

For manufacturers with plants located outside of India, one of the main tools is the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), through which BIS can grant the foreign manufacturer a license to use the Standard Mark on products complying with the applicable Indian Standards. 

The first step consists in correctly identifying the applicable standard. Subsequently, it is necessary to verify that the production site has the infrastructure, quality control processes, and testing capabilities required by the standard. Next, it is necessary to verify that the production site has the required infrastructure and quality control processes, as well as to evaluate the testing capabilities available internally and any external testing arrangements permitted by the applicable regulations.

In general, the path may include: 

1. preliminary product analysis and identification of the applicable Indian Standard; 
2. verification of the technical requirements set by the standard; 
3. verification of production equipment, internally available testing capabilities, and any applicable external testing arrangements; 
4. preparation of the required documentation; 
5. appointment of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR); 
6. submission of the application to the BIS (including product evidence in the manner prescribed); ; 
7. documentation evaluation; 
8. inspection of the production site by the BIS; 
9. product testing in accordance with the established procedures; 
10. issuance of the license, in case of a positive outcome. 

Indeed, the BIS clarifies that the license is granted based on the evaluation of the manufacturer's production infrastructure, processes, quality controls, and testing capabilities, through a plant visit and the verification of product compliance with the applicable standard. 

The role of the Authorized Indian Representative 

For an Italian producer, another fundamental element is the appointment of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). 

The AIR must be located in India and represents the foreign manufacturer in its dealings with the Bureau of Indian Standards, assuming specific responsibilities regarding compliance with the license conditions and BIS regulations. In the event that the manufacturer has its own branch or office in India, a suitable person belonging to the local structure may be appointed. In the absence of a direct presence in the country, the manufacturer may appoint an entity in India in compliance with the conditions established by the BIS. 

It is also important to emphasize that the certification application must be submitted by the manufacturer. According to the official BIS FAQs, the Indian importer cannot apply for the FMCS license on behalf of the foreign manufacturer. Consequently, relying entirely on one's Indian distributor or customer to handle the issue may not be sufficient.

Why Italian companies must act early 

The October 1 deadline should not be interpreted as the date from which to start dealing with the certification. 

Obtaining the BIS license can require a series of technical and documentary activities involving various company functions: technical department, quality, production, laboratory, export, and management. Before submitting the application, it may be necessary to verify: 

• if the product actually falls under the QCO; 
• which Indian Standard applies; 
• whether specific standards take precedence over the general rule; 
• which models or variants must be certified; 
• which tests must be performed; 
• which tests must be performed and in what manner, by verifying internal testing capabilities and the possible option of using external laboratories; 
• what adjustments may be necessary at the plant; 
• which entity to appoint as AIR; 
• what documents to submit to the BIS.

An incorrect assessment at this stage can lead to delays, additional costs, or difficulties in continuing exports. For companies that have pending orders or plan shipments to India in the months following the entry into force of the QCOs, it is therefore particularly important analyze your product portfolio destined for right away indian market.

India e-compliance: an increasingly strategic, but also more regulated market 

The progressive expansion of Quality Control Orders is part of a broader transformation of the Indian industrial system.‘India is strengthening its product standardization, safety, and quality policies alongside the growth of the domestic market and the development of local production. For Italian companies, this does not reduce the country's attractiveness, but rather changes the conditions for approaching it. 

Compliance must be considered increasingly as integral part of the market entry and development strategy in India, just like partner selection, commercial strategy, positioning, and distribution structure. Knowing the applicable requirements in advance not only helps avoid potential operational blocks, but also allows for the proper planning of timelines, investments, and commercial development. 

How Octagona supports companies in BIS certification 

With a direct presence in India and a specialized local team, We support Italian companies in analyzing the applicability of BIS regulations and in managing the entire certification process. 

• preliminary check of the product's applicability; 
• identification of the applicable Indian standard; 
• analysis of technical documentation; 
• verification of production and laboratory requirements; 
• assistance in preparing the application; 
• assistance in managing relations with the Bureau of Indian Standards; 
• support in appointing the Authorized Indian Representative; 
• preparation and assistance during the BIS audit at the Italian plant; 
• coordination of activities until the license is obtained.

For businesses already active on the Indian market, conducting a review before the new obligations enter into force makes it possible to promptly identify any critical issues and reduce the risk of export disruptions. 

Conclusions 

The October 1, 2026 represents an important new milestone in the process of extending Quality Control Orders in India. 

Professional tools, aluminum products, and numerous categories of electrical appliances are among the areas to be monitored with the greatest attention, but the actual applicability of the certification must be verified based on the technical characteristics of each product and the specific Indian Standard. 

For Italian companies exporting to India, the priority is therefore do not wait for the regulatory deadline, but to verify one's product portfolio in advance, identify any BIS obligations, and plan the certification path in a timely manner. 

In a strategic and rapidly evolving market like India, anticipating compliance means protecting business continuity and building a stronger foundation for one's presence in the country.