This guidance document provides for easy comprehension of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and explains various requirements specified in QCOs for better understanding towards implementation by the stakeholders.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India is engaged in the activities of Standardization, Conformity Assessment and Quality Assurance of goods, articles, processes, systems and services. The Indian Standards established by BIS forms the basis for the Product Certification Schemes, which provides Third Party Assurance of Quality, Safety and Reliability of products to consumers.

Thrust on Mandatory Certification
BIS certification scheme is basically voluntary. However, for a number of products, compliances to Indian Standards is made compulsory by the Central Government under various considerations viz. public interest, protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of environment, prevention of unfair trade practices and national security. For such products, the Central Government directs mandatory use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from BIS through issuance of QCOs.

Conformity to Indian Standard and Compulsory use of Standard Mark
The products under QCOs shall conform to corresponding Indian Standard(s) mentioned in the QCO and shall bear the Standard Mark under a Licence or CoC from BIS as per the relevant Scheme of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 as notified in the Order.

Date of commencement
QCOs are issued by various Line Ministries (Regulators) (here in case of Textile Industry by Ministry of Textiles, under the Central Government depending upon the product(s)/ product categories being regulated through the Order, after having stakeholder consultations.
The date of commencement of the QCO is clearly emphasized in the Order itself so that the stakeholders are well aware of the timelines for its implementation in terms of necessary manufacturing and testing infrastructure and compliance of the product to the requirements of the relevant Indian Standard. 

Prohibition Orders
After the date of commencement of the QCO, no person shall manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any product(s) covered under the QCO without a Standard Mark except under a valid Licence or CoC from BIS.

Applicability on Imported Goods
Domestic Laws / Rules / Orders / Regulations applicable to domestically produced goods shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to imports, unless specifically exempted. If domestic product(s) are subjected to mandatory compliance with Indian Standards, such product(s) if imported would also need to comply with Indian Standards compulsorily. Thus, for these products, the manufacturer in foreign country will be required to obtain a Licence or CoC from BIS under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) of BIS. 

Penalty for contravention of the provisions of QCO
Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Order shall be punishable under the provisions of sub section (3) of section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016 with imprisonment or with fine or with both.

Exemptions from applicability of the Order
Any exemptions like non-applicability of the Order on specific product(s), product(s) meant for export etc. come under the purview of the Line Ministry (Regulator) who has issued the QCO. Wherever exemptions are permitted, these are clearly brought out in respective QCO itself. 

Amendment / Revision of Indian Standards covered under QCO
The latest version of Indian Standards including the amendments issued thereof shall apply for implementing the provisions of QCOs. Whenever any amendment or revision is made to an Indian Standard covered under the QCO, such amendment or revision shall apply to the provisions of the QCO with effect from the date notified by BIS.
In such cases, BIS provides a sufficient period for the concurrent running of both versions of Indian Standard (existing as well as revised). The licensee manufacturer shall changeover to the revised version of Indian Standard within the timelines notified by BIS from time to time.

Role of BIS in implementation of QCOs
For the purpose of facilitating the Central Government in the issuance of QCOs, BIS regularly interacts with Line Ministries/ Departments and provides technical inputs related to Indian Standards, appropriate Conformity Assessment Scheme etc. and also participates in stakeholder consultation meetings. 
Further, for implementation of the provisions of QCO, BIS acts as the Certification Authority and grants a Licence or CoC to manufacturers as per the relevant Conformity Assessment Scheme. BIS also acts as the Enforcement Authority for the products specified in the QCO.