New Quality Norms for Copper Products, Drums, Tin Containers Enforced
The union government has enforced quality norms for copper products, drums, and tin containers to curb the import of low-quality products and boost domestic production. The Drums and Tins (Quality Control) Order 2023 and the Copper Products (Quality Control) Order 2023, notified this week, will prohibit the production, sale, import, and stocking of items that lack the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark.
The orders will come into effect six months from the date of notification, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said. Copper and its alloys are crucial components in power generation, power transmission and telecommunications equipment, electrical circuits, and several appliances. The order is applicable to nine copper products, such as wire rods for electrical applications; solid drawn copper and copper tubes for condensers and heat exchangers; and wrought copper tubes for refrigeration and air-conditioning.
The department has granted relaxations to small and micro industries to ensure the smooth implementation of quality-control orders (QCOs) and ease of doing business. Small industries have been given an additional three months, while micro industries have been given an additional six months, as regards to timelines.
Drums and tin containers are widely used across industries such as waste management, healthcare, and food services to store and transport toxic, flammable, and hazardous substances.
In order to curb the import of inferior quality products, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and stakeholders, is also planning to develop QCOs for more products, curb illegitimate trade practices, and promote the safety and well-being of consumers as well as the environment. This will lead to the initiation of more than 60 new QCOs covering 318 product standards.
Violations of the BIS Act can attract a punishment of up to two years in prison or a fine of at least Rs.2 lakh for the first offence. For subsequent offences, the fine increases to a minimum of Rs.5 lakh and up to 10 times the value of the goods in question.
