New Delhi (Agency): This year, the Indian government has decided to introduce 60 quality control orders (QCOs) for various products like consumer items, rubber, paper, and light engineering goods. The primary intention behind this move is to restrict the import of goods that don’t meet the desired quality and to support local manufacturing.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), shared with the media that the department has been actively issuing these orders. He mentioned that they’ve already rolled out “33 QCOs for over 127 products” which include items like air conditioners, refrigerators, pipes, and safety valves.
“We are processing 60 new QCOs in association with BIS. These are crucial not only for the safety of consumers but also to improve quality standards,” Singh emphasized during his interaction with the reporters.
During this media event, the Joint Secretary in DPIIT, Sanjiv, highlighted that these quality orders are meant for goods such as smart meters and hardware items like nuts, bolts, and fasteners. He also brought to light the repercussions of not adhering to these guidelines. If anyone violates these laws, they could face serious consequences. For the first violation, the person can be fined at least Rs 2 lakh or even be imprisoned for up to two years. Any further offences will increase the minimum fine to Rs 5 lakh.
It’s important to note that these orders align with the WTO (World Trade Organization) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). They are designed especially for industries that fall within the DPIIT’s jurisdiction.
Apart from discussing these new QCOs, the conversation also steered towards the government’s digital initiative, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Singh proudly stated that this initiative has now exceeded “one lakh transactions per day.” At present, there are about 74 participants active on this network. Singh further mentioned their ongoing efforts, saying “we are working” to include farmer producer organizations in this network.
The Indian government’s move to release these 60 QCOs shows their dedication to ensuring that only high-quality products are available to Indian consumers. This will not only help safeguard the interests of the consumers but also give a significant boost to the local manufacturing sector. As India continues to grow and develop, these measures will be instrumental in maintaining high standards of quality and safety for all products in the market.
