Centre Rolls Out Mandatory Quality Norms For Asbestos Cement Products

In a bid to curb import and boost domestic manufacturing, the Commerce Ministry has issued mandatory quality norms for asbestos or fibre cement-based products.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) mandated Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for all products included under 'Asbestos or Fibre Cement based Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 ' that was notified on 6 March this year.

"It shall come into force on the expiry of six months from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette," the DPIIT notification said.

Small enterprises have been granted an additional nine months to comply with the new quality control norms, while micro industries have been given an extra 12 months to meet these standards.

Violating the provisions of the order BIS Act can result in punishment under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

The primary goal of the QCO is to regulate the import of substandard and cheaper items, ensuring that customers receive quality products.

Previously, similar orders have been issued for various goods, including smart metres, welding rods and electrodes, cookware and utensils, fire extinguishers, electric ceiling fans, and domestic gas stoves.

This order is the latest in a series of quality control mandates from the government, aimed at ostensibly enhancing the quality levels of domestic producers.