We are pleased to inform our members and stakeholders that the Government of India has deferred by one month the implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO) for certain steel products, which was earlier scheduled to come into effect for all imports with bill of lading dates from 16.06.2025 onwards. As per the latest clarification issued by the Ministry of Steel, imports of steel products with a bill of lading date on or before 15.07.2025 shall now be exempted from the new mandatory quality requirements.
This relief measure follows persistent representations by COSIA and other industry bodies to the Ministry of Steel, highlighting the severe disruption that the abrupt enforcement of the QCO was causing to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. COSIA, in its letter dated 30th June 2025, had submitted a comprehensive appeal to the Secretary, Ministry of Steel, emphasizing the following key concerns:
- Sudden Implementation Impact: The QCO disrupted ongoing procurement and import contracts, adversely affecting OEMs and MSMEs relying on timely delivery of imported raw materials.
- Request for Minimum One-Year Transition Period: COSIA appealed for adequate time for industries to adapt and comply with BIS certification procedures.
- Exemption for Backward Integrated Mills: A recommendation was made to exempt mills that do not commercially sell semi-finished steel and follow in-house quality protocols.
- Simplification and Transparency in Procedures: Suggestions included expediting BIS licensing (with 5–6 month turnaround), streamlining the NOC process by publishing a product-wise non-availability list, and simplifying the SIMS registration system.
We are grateful that the Ministry has acknowledged the urgency and practical challenges faced by the industry and taken immediate corrective action by deferring the QCO implementation by one month. This decision brings much-needed relief to the MSME sector, which had been given little time to comply with the sudden regulatory change.
