India Extends Deadline for Appliance Safety QCO to Aid MSMEs & R&D
Photo Credit: @PiyushGoyal
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has extended the timeline for implementing the Quality Control Order (QCO) for the Safety of Household, Commercial, and Similar Electrical Appliances. The updated deadline, now set for 19th March 2026, applies to large and medium domestic enterprises and foreign manufacturers. This decision comes after discussions with industry stakeholders led by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal on 15th May 2025.
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating a strong quality framework in India, this initiative aims to improve product standards, boost consumer safety, and promote the global competitiveness of ‘Made in India’ goods. DPIIT has been proactively issuing QCOs while enhancing testing infrastructure, product manuals, and accreditation systems.
The revised QCO covers electrical appliances used in household and commercial settings, with voltage ratings not exceeding 250V for single-phase and 480V for other appliances, including battery-operated devices. Products already regulated by other QCOs or under mandatory BIS certification are excluded.
The QCO introduces key relaxations:
- Micro Enterprises get an extra 6 months, and Small Enterprises 3 months, to comply.
- Exemptions apply to imports used in manufacturing export-oriented goods.
- R&D imports up to 200 units are allowed without restrictions.
- Legacy stock manufactured or imported before the effective date can be sold for six months post-implementation.
These measures ensure a smoother transition for businesses, especially MSMEs, while reinforcing India’s quality control and safety standards. The revised order is a strategic move to curb low-quality imports, improve domestic product reliability, and support the Government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative to build a self-reliant, globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem.
Source: PIB
