DPIIT has relaxed the mandatory quality control order for cookware and utensils specifically for micro units.
National
On October 15, 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced important relaxations in the mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO) for cookware and utensils, specifically for micro units.
- This initiative aims to improve the ease of doing business while supporting domestic manufacturing.
- The Quality Control Order (QCO) was amended and renamed to "Cookware, Utensils, and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2024." It was notified on March 15, 2024, and was set to take effect on September 1, 2024, for large and medium-scale manufacturers, as well as foreign manufacturers.
- The QCO will now be implemented from April 1, 2025. For small enterprises, it will be effective from July 1, 2025, and for micro enterprises, it will start on October 1, 2025.
Main Points:- (i) The QCO was initially issued in August 2023 to reduce imports of sub-standard goods and encourage local production in the cookware, utensils, and food and beverage cans sectors.
(ii) Micro-enterprises registered under the Udyam portal, with investments in plant and machinery not exceeding ₹25 lakh and a turnover below ₹2 crore, are now exempt from QCO requirements.
(iii) The DPIIT has also introduced exemptions for importing up to 200 units of cookware, utensils, and cans for research and development (R&D) purposes.
About Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
MD & CEO : Nivruti Rai
Headquarters: New Delhi
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