BIS Update: Withdrawal of Quality Control Orders for certain chemicals

The Central Government had notified QCOs for Acetic Acid, Methanol, and Aniline, all dated August 5, 2019. As per the QCOs, compliance with the mandatory use of the Indian Standard Mark as mentioned in the QCOs, was a pre-requisite for the sale of these chemicals in India. Accordingly, the said chemicals were required to be certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (“BIS”). The enforcement of these QCOs was later deferred to August 3, 2025, through extension orders, extending the BIS compliance deadline. The relevant orders can be accessed here.

However, the Central Government, through a notification dated July 23, 2025, has now withdrawn these QCOs, along with the associated BIS compliance requirements. The relevant notification can be accessed here.

With the withdrawal of these QCOs, the associated BIS compliance requirements are no longer mandatory for the manufacture and import of these chemicals in India. However, it is not recommended for entities currently holding a BIS licence to surrender their licenses, as the Central Government reserves the right to reinstate the QCOs at any time, without prior notice.

If the QCOs are reinstated, both domestic and foreign manufacturers of these chemicals will only be able sell these products in India while mandatorily using the prescribed Standard Mark under a valid license issued by the BIS. To obtain the necessary certification from the BIS, both foreign producers and domestic manufacturers of these chemicals would need to submit a formal application to the BIS. Furthermore, the process of certification will also require physical testing and inspection of the relevant product at the factory premises as well as parallel testing by a BIS authorized laboratory in India to verify the same.